Modulators of leukocyte activation, compositions and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating leukocyte activation. Nucleic acids encoding proteins and proteins so encoded which are capable of modulating leukocyte activation are provided. Compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders related to leukocyte dysfunction or dysregulation are also provided. Prophylactics and methods for the prevention of such disorders are also provided. Also provided are compositions and methods for diagnostic and prognostic determination of such disorders. Further provided are assays for the identification of bioactive agents capable of modulating leukocyte activation.

The present application incorporates U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/404,967 filed 24, Sep. 1999, in its entirety by reference. Thepresent application incorporates PCT Application Ser. No. US00/26338filed 25, Sep. 2000, in its entirety by reference. The presentapplication claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/280,698 filed 29, Mar. 2001, which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/039,761 filed 19, Oct. 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulatingleukocyte activation. Nucleic acids and proteins which are capable ofmodulating leukocyte activation are provided. Compositions and methodsfor the treatment of disorders related to the dysfunction anddysregulation of leukocyte activation are also provided. Prophylacticsand methods for the prevention of such disorders are also provided. Alsoprovided are compositions and methods for diagnostic and prognosticdetermination of such disorders. Further provided are assays for theidentification of bioactive agents capable of modulating leukocyteactivation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The immune response consists of a cellular response and a humoralresponse. The cellular response is mediated largely by T lymphocytes(alternatively and equivalently referred to herein as T cells), whilethe humoral response is mediated by B lymphocytes (alternatively andequivalently referred to herein as B cells).

B cells produce and secrete antibodies in response to the presentationof antigen and MHC class II molecules on the surface of antigenpresenting cells. Antigen presentation initiates B cell activation withthe engagement of the B cell receptor (BCR) at the cell's surface.Following engagement, the BCR relays signals that are propagated throughthe cell's interior via signal transduction pathways. These signals leadto changes in B cell gene expression, physiology, and function whichunderlie B cell activation.

T cells produce costimulatory molecules, including cytokines, thataugment antibody production by B cells during the humoral immuneresponse. T-cell produced cytokines also play a role in modulating theactivity of T cells themselves. Many T cells also act directly to engulfand destroy cells or agents that they recognize by virtue of the cellsurface receptors they possess. The engagement of cell surface receptorson T cells results in the propagation of intracellular signals whichprovoke changes in T cell gene expression, physiology, and function,which underlie the cellular immune response.

Antigen recognition alone is usually not sufficient to initiate acomplete effector T or B cell response. The generation of many B-cellresponses is dependent upon an interaction of B cells with CD4+ helperT-cells directed against the same antigen. These helper T-cells expressCD40L (CD154) which binds to the cell surface receptor, CD40, on restingB cells. This interaction provides a critical activation signal to Bcells. Mutations in the CD40L lead to the X-linked immunodeficiencydisorder hyper-IgM syndrome, which is characterized by low levels of IgAand IgG, normal to elevated levels of IgM. absence of germinal centerformation, and decreased immune response. In addition, transgenic micelacking CD40 exhibit reduced graft rejection. (Zanelli et al., NatureMedicine, 6: 629–630, 2000; Schonbeck et al., Cell Mol Life Sci,58:4–43, 2001).

Non-lymphocyte leukocytes and platelets are also activated by surfacereceptor engagement in immune response and in response to injury. Forexample, mast cells and basophils are activated by binding of antigen tosurface IgE, while platelets are activated by the binding of thrombin toits receptor.

Intercellular communication between different types of lymphocytes, aswell as between lymphocytes and non-lymphocytes in the normallyfunctioning immune system is well known. Much of this communication ismediated by cytokines and their cognate receptors. Cytokine-inducedsignals begin at the cell surface with a cytokine receptor and aretransmitted intracellularly via signal transduction pathways. Many typesof cells produce cytokines, and cytokines can induce a variety ofresponses in a variety of cell types, including leukocytes. The responseto a cytokine can be context-dependent as well as cell type specific.

The dysregulation of intercellular communication can perturb leukocyteactivity and the regulation of immune responses. Such dysregulation isbelieved to underlie certain autoimmune disease states, hyper-immunestates, and immune-compromised states. Such dysfunction may be cellautonomous or non-cell autonomous with respect to lymphocytes.

The activation of specific signaling pathways in leukocytes determinesthe quality, magnitude, and duration of immune responses. In response totransplantation, in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, and inautoimmune responses, it is these pathways that are responsible for theinduction, maintenance and exacerbation of undesirable leukocyteresponses. Identification of these signaling pathways is desirable inorder to provide diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as therapeutictargets for modulating leukocyte function in a variety of disorders oraltered physiological states. In addition, the ability to modulate thesepathways and suppress normal immune responses is often desirable, forexample in transplantation.

While the extracellular domains and cognate ligands of lymphocytereceptors vary widely, many receptors have similar intracellular domains(such as the “immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif” (ITAM)),and associate with common intracellular signaling molecules.

Tyrosine kinase activation is a critical event in the propagation ofintracellular signals by many receptors on lymphocytes, includingantigen receptors on B and T cells (for a review see Turner et al,Immunology Today, 21:148–154, 2000, incorporated herein in its entiretyby reference)

With regard to the B cell antigen receptor, the BCR is rapidlyphosphorylated on tyrosine residues following engagement of the receptorby antigen or other crosslinking agents. This tyrosine phosphorylationleads to associations with several SH2-containing signaling proteins.SH2-containing proteins are known to bind to phosphorylated tyrosineresidues in the context of specific amino acid sequences.

Many non-receptor tyrosine kinases have been shown to interact withtyrosine phosphorylated receptors in lymphocytes, including the antigenreceptors of B and T cells. These non-receptor tyrosine kinases includemembers of the src family and the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) family.Importantly, many of these genes are associated with oncogenesis.

A structurally distinct group of non-receptor tyrosine kinases thatassociate with tyrosine phosphorylated receptors in lymphocytes are the“SYK” proteins (referred to herein as SYK). SYK is a 72 kilodaltoncytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase that is expressed in a variety ofcells of the haematopoietic lineage, including B and T cells. SYK isactivated in B cells by aggregation of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR)(Hutchcroft et al., JBC 267:8613–8619, 1992), in T cells bycross-linking the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) (Chan, A., et al., J.Immunol., 152:4758–4766, 1994; Couture, C., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. U.S.A., 91:5301–5305, 1994), in mast cells by aggregation of FcεRIreceptors (Hutchcroft et al., PNAS 89:9107–9111, 1992), in platelets bythrombin (Taniguchi, T., et al., J. Biol. Chem 268:2277–2279, 1993) orintegrin ligation (Clark, E. A., et al., J. Biol. Chem.,269:28859–28864, 1994), in monocytes by cross-linking FcγRI ad FcγRIIreceptors (Agarwal, A., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268:15900–15905, 1993;Kiener, P. A., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268:24442–24448, 1993), inmacrophages by engagement of the FcγRIIIA receptor (Darby, C., et al.,J. immunol., 152:5429–5437, 1994), in granulocytes in response togranulocyte stimulating factor, and in peripheral blood lymphocytes byinterleukin-2. SYK contains two tandem SH2 domains and multipletyrosines that when phosphorylated can serve as binding sites foradditional signaling proteins including phospholipase C-γ, VAV, and CBL(Junghans, Immunol. Today, 20:401–406, 1999; Sklar et al., Cytometry,3:161–165, 1982; Robins et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 90:165–172, 1986).SYK is tyrosine phosphorylated in B cells activated by BCR engagement,and is essential for the development and function of B cells. Activationof the BCR (used herein interchangeably with “engagement of the BCR”) atdifferent developmental stages evokes different cellular responses. Inimmature B cells, stimulation of the newly formed surface immunoglobulinleads to cell death or rearrangement of light chain genes (MacLennan,Curr. Opin. Immunol. 10:22–225, 1998). In mature B cells, BCR engagementleads to proliferation and differentiation into antibody-producing cellsor memory B cells (MacLennan, Curr. Opin. Immunol. 10:22–225, 1998). Inaddition, it is believed that stimulation of the immunoglobulin pathwayis required for immature B cells to differentiate into mature,recirculating follicular B cells. Importantly, B cell maturation andhumoral immunity are compromised in SYK deficient mice (Turner et al.,Nature, 378:298–302, 1995), underscoring the importance of SYK-mediatedsignal transduction in B and T cells.

The activity of protein tyrosine kinases and other signaling proteins isgenerally tightly regulated in normal cells. One method of controllingsignaling protein activity involves conjugation of ubiquitin orubiquitin-like proteins to signaling proteins.

Ubiquitin is a 76-amino acid polypeptide that is highly conserved ineukaryotes. Several ubiquitin coding loci identified in yeast aredifferentially expressed in cells during exponential growth, stationaryphase, and during stress such as high temperature or starvation[Ozkaynak et al. EMBO J. 6(5):1429–1439 (1987)]. In one aspect,ubiquitin mediates selective proteolysis by conjugating to intracellularproteins, thereby targeting them to the proteosome where they arecleaved adjacent to the C-terminal of the ubiquitin moiety. Conjugationof ubiquitin to a target protein may also result in an alteration in thesubcellular localization or activity of the signaling protein withoutproteolytic degradation (for example see Depraetere, Nat. Cell Biol.,3:E181).

Such modifications of target proteins are reversible. The level oftarget protein conjugation is negatively influenced by the action ofpeptidases with activity specifically directed at ubiquitin. Theubiquitin-specific proteases comprise a family of proteins which haveboth proteolytic ability and the ability to deubiquitinate theubiquitin-protein conjugate [Tobias et al., J. Biol. Chem.266(18):12021–12028 (1991); Baker et al., J. Biol. Chem.267(32):23364–23375 (1992); Xiao et al., Yeast 10(11):1497–1502 (1994);Baek et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272(41):25560–25565 (1997)].Deubiquitinating enzymes are able to remove ubiquitin from substrateproteins, thereby interrupting their transport to the proteosome fordestruction. A very large number of deubiquitinating enzymes are knownto exist, which raises the possibility that individual enzymes mayrecognize distinct ubiquitin-conjugated substrates. Substratespecificity among deubiquitinating enzymes has been demonstratedpreviously (Jensen et al., Oncogene 16:1097–1112, 1998; Kahana et al.,Mol. Cell. Biol. 19:6608–6620, 1999; Moazed et al., Cell 86:667–677,1996). Such proteases may remove ubiquitin conjugated to target proteinsthereby altering the subcellular localization, activity, and/orproteolytic processing of target proteins.

Coordinated intracellular protein degradation is critical to a vastarray of cellular processes, including cytokine signaling inlymphocytes. In addition, it has been suggested that the dysregulationof ubiquitin mediated proteolysis may be involved in the development ofcancer in mammals, due to the association of a ubiquitin specificprotease with cell cycle regulatory proteins [Xiao et al., supra].

Similarly, conjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins to a target proteinoften results in the modification of target protein activity and/orsubcellular distribution. For example, conjugation of the ubiquitin-likeproteins SUMO and NEDD8 to target proteins alters their subcellularlocalization and stability (Muller et. al., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell. Biol.,2:202–210, 2001; Yeh et. al., Gene, 248:1–14, 2000).

UBC9 is a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme which also catalyzes SMT3/SUMOconjugation to target proteins (Schwarz et. al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad.Sci., 95:560–564, 1998). Further, these modifications are alsoreversible, and proteases may remove ubiquitin-like proteins conjugatedto target proteins thereby altering the subcellular localization,activity, and/or proteolytic processing of target proteins (for examplesee Kim et. al., J. Biol. Chem., 275:14102–14106, 2000).

Compositions that are capable of modulating the conjugation of ubiquitinand ubiquitin-like proteins to signaling proteins are desirable andprovide means for modulating signal transduction. Such compositions aredesirable for the modulation of leukocyte activation in normal andabnormal immune responses.

In addition to kinases, phosphatases also play an important role inlymphocyte activation. Calcineurin is a calcium-sensitive proteinserine/threonine phosphatase comprised of a catalytic and a regulatorysubunit. Calcineurin is activated by the binding of Ca2+/calmodulin, andis inhibited by the immunosuppressants FK506 and cyclosporin A. Bindingof cyclosporin to calcineurin blocks substrate access to the active siteof the phosphatase (Liu et al., Cell, 66: 807, 1991).

The activation of calcineurin is an important regulatory step inlymphocyte activation. Calcineurin regulates phosphorylation of thenuclear factor in activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factor, andthereby regulates nuclear import of NFAT and its ability to regulatetranscription. The expression of many factors involved in lymphocyteactivation, including cytokines (such as IL-2) and cell surfacemolecules (eg. CD40L) lies downstream of NFAT activation. (see Klee etal., J Biol Chem., 273:13367, 1998; Stankunas et al., Cold Spring HarborSymposia Quant. Biol., 64: 505–516, 1999).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulatingleukocyte and platelet activation. Nucleic acids and proteins which arecapable of modulating leukocyte and platelet activation are provided.Compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders related toleukocyte dysfunction and dysregulation are also provided. Prophylacticsand methods for the prevention of such disorders are also provided. Alsoprovided are compositions and methods for diagnostic and prognosticdetermination of such disorders. Further provided are assays for theidentification of bioactive agents capable of modulating leukocyteactivation.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides USP-25 nucleicacids which are capable of modulating leukocyte and platelet activation.Also provided herein are USP-25 proteins capable of modulating leukocyteand platelet activation. SYK-UBP, SUP, and USP-25 are used hereinequivalently and interchangeably.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acid comprises a nucleicacid sequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at least about90%, more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about98% identity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acid comprises the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment,the USP-25 nucleic acid encodes a USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides USP-25 nucleicacids comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding USP-25 proteins. In apreferred embodiment, a USP-25 nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acidsequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, morepreferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, morepreferably at least about 98% identity to the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4.

In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 nucleic acid providedherein comprises a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins provided herein comprise anamino acid sequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having at leastabout 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at leastabout 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment,the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by thenucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.

Also provided herein are USP-25 antisense nucleic acids which nucleicacids will hybridize under high stringency conditions to a USP-25nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisense nucleic acidinhibits expression of USP-25 protein encoded by USP-25 nucleic acid. Ina preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisense nucleic acid inhibitsUSP-25 protein activity. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisensenucleic acid has at least one activity possessed by a dominant negativeUSP-25 protein described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acidsequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%,more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about 98%identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. In apreferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. Preferably, the USP-25 proteinalso possesses one or more USP-25 bioactivities described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein consistsessentially of a ubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain. In apreferred embodiment, such a USP-25 protein consists essentially of anamino acid sequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at leastabout 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at leastabout 98% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 in SEQ ID NO:2. In an especially preferred embodiment, the USP-25protein consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 1–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein consistsessentially of a protease domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain, but comprises a protease domain and aresponse regulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain, but comprises aresponse regulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 659–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 659–1055 in SEQ IDNO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain and a responseregulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such a USP-25protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having at leastabout 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at leastabout 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to the amino acidsequence set forth by residues 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In an especiallypreferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentially of theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein is capable of binding tothe SYK protein. In another preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein iscapable of binding to calcineurin. In another preferred embodiment, theUSP-25 protein is capable of binding to UBC9. In another preferredembodiment, the USP-25 protein is capable of binding to IkB. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein is capable of binding to a SYK,IkB, calcineurin, or UBC9 protein that is conjugated to ubiquitin orubiquitin-like proteins such as the SMT3/SUMO and NEDD/Rubyubiquitin-like proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 proteinremoves ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins from conjugated SYK, IkB,calcineurin or UBC9 protein. In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 mediatedremoval of ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins from target proteinsinvolves USP-25 peptidase activity.

In one aspect, the USP-25 protein provided herein modulates SYK tyrosinekinase activity. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein provided hereinmodulates calcineurin activity. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinprovided herein modulates UBC9 activity. In one aspect, the USP-25protein provided herein modulates IkB and Nf-kB activity.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein modulatesthe expression of IL-2 in primary T lymphocytes.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein modulatesthe expression of CD40L in primary T lymphocytes.

In one aspect of the invention, expression vectors are provided. Theexpression vectors comprise one or more USP-25 nucleic acids providedherein operably linked to regulatory sequences recognized by a host celltransformed with the expression vector. Further provided herein are hostcells comprising expression vectors and USP-25 nucleic acids providedherein. Also provided are processes for producing USP-25 proteincomprising culturing a host cell provided herein under conditionssuitable for expression of the USP-25 protein. In one embodiment, theprocess includes recovering the USP-25 protein.

The present invention also provides isolated polypeptides whichspecifically bind to a USP-25 protein. In one embodiment, thepolypeptide is an antibody. In a preferred embodiment, the polypeptideis a monoclonal antibody.

Provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capableof binding to the USP-25 protein. In one aspect, the method comprisescombining a USP-25 protein and a candidate bioactive agent anddetermining the binding of candidate agent to USP-25 protein. In oneaspect, the method involves identifying the candidate agent.

Also provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agentcapable of interfering with the binding of a USP-25 protein. In oneaspect, the method comprises combining a candidate bioactive agent, aUSP-25 protein, and a USP-25 binding partner which will bind to USP-25in the absence of candidate agent, and determining the binding of USP-25to binding partner in the presence of candidate bioactive agent. In apreferred aspect, the USP-25 binding partner is selected from IkB, UBC9,calcineurin, SYK, and ubiquitin conjugates thereof, and ubiquitin-likeprotein conjugates thereof. In another aspect, the method involvesdetermining the binding of USP-25 to binding partner in the presence andabsence of candidate bioactive agent. In one aspect, USP-25 and USP-25binding partner are combined first. In one aspect, the method involvesidentifying the candidate agent.

Also provided herein are methods of screening for a bioactive agentcapable of increasing the binding of a USP-25 protein. In one aspect,the method comprises combining a candidate bioactive agent, a USP-25protein, and a USP-25 binding partner which will bind to USP-25 in theabsence of candidate agent, and determining the binding of USP-25 tobinding partner in the presence of candidate bioactive agent. In apreferred aspect, the USP-25 binding partner is selected from IkB, UBC9,calcineurin, SYK, and ubiquitin conjugates thereof, and ubiquitin-likeprotein conjugates thereof. In another aspect, the method involvesdetermining the binding of USP-25 to binding partner in the presence andabsence of candidate bioactive agent. In one aspect, USP-25 and USP-25binding partner are combined first. In one aspect, the method involvesidentifying the candidate agent.

Provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agent capableof modulating SYK tyrosine kinase activity. In one aspect, the methodcomprises contacting a candidate bioactive agent to a cell comprising arecombinant USP-25 nucleic acid and expressing USP-25 protein, andfurther comprising a SYK protein, and determining the tyrosine kinaseactivity of SYK in the presence of candidate agent. Preferably, tyrosinekinase activity is determined in the presence and absence of candidateagent.

Also provided herein are methods for screening for an agent capable ofmodulating the ubiquitination of a target protein that is capable ofbeing ubiquitinated. In one aspect, the method comprises combining aUSP-25 protein, a candidate bioactive agent, ubiquitin or polyubiquitin,a ubiquitin conjugating enzyme and/or ubiquitin ligase capable ofubiquitinating a target protein, and a USP-25 target protein, anddetermining the level of ubiquitination of target protein in thepresence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofubiquitination of target protein is determined in the presence andabsence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the targetprotein is selected from SYK, UBC9, and calcineurin. The level of targetprotein ubiquitination may be determined by determining the amount ofubiquitin-conjugated target protein. Alternatively, the level of targetprotein ubiquitination may be determined by determining the amount offree ubiquitin.

In another aspect, the method comprises combining a USP-25 protein, acandidate bioactive agent and a ubiquitin-conjugated target protein, anddetermining the level of ubiquitination of target protein in thepresence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofubiquitination of target protein is determined in the presence andabsence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the targetprotein is selected from SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin.

Also provided herein are methods of screening for an agent capable ofmodulating the conjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins to a targetprotein that is capable of being so conjugated. In one aspect, themethod comprises combining a USP-25 protein, a candidate bioactiveagent, a ubiquitin-like protein or complex thereof, an appropriateconjugating enzyme and/or ligase capable of conjugating theubiquitin-like protein or complex thereof to a target protein, and aUSP-25 target protein, and determining the level of ubiquitin-likeprotein conjugation to target protein in the presence of candidateagent. In a preferred embodiment, the level of ubiquitin-like proteinconjugation to target protein is determined in the presence and absenceof candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the target protein isselected from IkB, SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin. In a preferred embodiment,the ubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD/Ruby. The level oftarget protein conjugation may be determined by determining the amountof conjugated target protein. Alternatively, the level of target proteinconjugation may be determined by determining the amount of freeubiquitin-like protein.

In another aspect, the method comprises combining a USP-25 protein, acandidate bioactive agent and a target protein conjugated to aubiquitin-like protein, and determining the level of conjugation totarget protein in the presence of candidate agent. In a preferredembodiment, the level of conjugation to target protein is determined inthe presence and absence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment,the target protein is selected from IkB, SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin. In apreferred embodiment, the ubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO orNEDD/Ruby.

Also provided herein are methods for screening for a bioactive agentcapable of modulating the activity of a USP-25 protein. In one aspect,the method comprises contacting a candidate bioactive agent to a cellcomprising a recombinant USP-25 nucleic acid and expressing USP-25protein. In one aspect, the method comprises contacting a library ofcandidate bioactive agents to a plurality of cells comprising arecombinant USP-25 nucleic acid and expressing USP-25 protein. In oneembodiment, the method comprises determining the level of ubiquitinationof a USP-25 target protein. Preferably the target protein is selectedfrom SYK, calcineurin and UBC9. In another embodiment, the methodcomprises determining the level of conjugation of ubiquitin-likeproteins to a USP-25 target protein. Preferably the target protein isselected from IkB, SYK, calcineurin and UBC9. Preferably theubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD/Ruby. In one embodiment, themethod comprises determining the activity of SYK, calcineurin or UBC9.

In one aspect, the method comprises determining the ubiquitin-specificpeptidase activity of a USP-25 protein directed at ubiquitin conjugatedtarget protein in the presence of candidate agent. Such screening may bedone in vitro or in vivo. In vitro, USP-25 may be cell-free as in a celllysate, or purified. In a preferred embodiment, peptidase activity isdetermined in the presence and absence of candidate agent. In apreferred embodiment, the target protein is selected from SYK, UBC9 andcalcineurin.

In one aspect, the method comprises determining USP-25 peptidaseactivity directed at ubiquitin-like protein conjugated to target proteinin the presence of candidate agent. Such screening may be done in vitroor in vivo. In vitro, USP-25 may be cell-free as in a cell lysate, orpurified. In a preferred embodiment, peptidase activity is determined inthe presence and absence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment,the target protein is selected from IkB, SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin. In apreferred embodiment, the ubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO orNEDD/Ruby.

Also provided herein are methods of screening for a bioactive agentcapable of modulating lymphocyte activation.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining the abilityof a candidate bioactive agent to modulate ubiquitin-specific peptidaseactivity of USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting a decrease inubiquitin-specific peptidase activity in the presence of candidatebioactive agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods consist essentiallyof a protease domain, or a ubiquitin-associated domain and a proteasedomain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins usedconsist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 or 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate bioactive agent to modulate ubiquitin-likeprotein-specific peptidase activity of USP-25 protein. In a preferredembodiment, the ubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD/Ruby.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting a decrease inubiquitin-like protein-specific peptidase activity in the presence ofcandidate bioactive agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods consist essentiallyof a protease domain, or a ubiquitin-associated domain and a proteasedomain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins usedconsist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 or 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate agent to bind to USP-25.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting binding ofcandidate agent to USP-25 protein, contacting the candidate bioactiveagent to a lymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in thepresence of said candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyteactivation in the presence and absence of candidate agent is determined.In another aspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activationis used. Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, andoptionally, the absence, of candidate agent following contact with theagent that normally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferredactivation agent for use with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. Apreferred activation agent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e.anti-TCR antibody. In another embodiment, lymphocyte activation isinduced using a phorbol ester, such as PMA, in combination with acalcium ionophore, such as ionomycin. In another preferred embodiment,costimulation of CD3/CD28 in primary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods lack aubiquitin-associated domain or lack a ubiquitin-associated domain and aprotease domain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteinsused consist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 58–1055, 659–1055, or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate agent to inhibit the binding of USP-25 to aUSP-25 binding partner.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting modulation ofbinding of USP-25 protein to USP-25 binding partner in the presence ofcandidate agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods lack aubiquitin-associated domain or lack a ubiquitin-associated domain and aprotease domain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteinsused consist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 58–1055, 659–1055, or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In a preferred embodiment, a candidate bioactive agent used in theseassays is a small molecule chemical compound, from about 100 to about1500, more preferably about 100 to about 1200, more preferably about 100to about 1000 more preferably about 200 to about 500 daltons.

In a preferred embodiment, a library of candidate bioactive agents iscontacted to isolated or cell-free USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation in themethods herein comprises determining the level of expression of asurface marker which is associated with activation of the lymphocyte, inthe presence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofsurface marker expression is determined in the presence and absence ofcandidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the surface marker isselected from the group consisting of CD40L, CD23, CD69, CD80 and CD86.In an especially preferred embodiment, the surface marker used is CD69or CD40L.

In another preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation inthe methods herein comprises determining the level of activity of apromoter, which activity correlates with lymphocyte activation, in thepresence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofpromoter activity is determined in the presence and absence of candidateagent. In a preferred embodiment the promoter is an NFAT-responsivepromoter, such as the IL-2 promoter. In another preferred embodiment,the promoter is the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene promoter.

In a preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation involvessorting lymphocytes by FACS.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for screening forbioactive agents capable of inhibiting inflammation are provided. In apreferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting binding of candidateagent to USP-25 protein, contacting the candidate agent to a lymphocyte,contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normally induces lymphocyteactivation, and determining NF-kB activation in the presence ofcandidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting USP-25binding interference in the presence of candidate agent, contacting thecandidate agent to a lymphocyte, contacting the lymphocyte with an agentthat normally induces lymphocyte activation, and determining NF-kBactivation in the presence of candidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting adecrease in USP-25 ubiquitin-specific protease activity in the presenceof candidate agent, contacting the candidate agent to a lymphocyte,contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normally induces lymphocyteactivation, and determining NF-kB activation in the presence ofcandidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting adecrease in USP-25 ubiquitin-like protein-specific protease activity inthe presence of candidate agent, contacting the candidate agent to alymphocyte, contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normallyinduces lymphocyte activation, and determining NF-kB activation in thepresence of candidate agent.

In a preferred embodiment, determining NF-kB activation involves sortinglymphocytes by FACS.

Compositions and methods for the modulation of leukocyte activation arealso provided herein. These include proteins, nucleic acids and smallmolecule chemical compositions. These compositions find use asprophylactics and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment ofphysiological states related to dysfunctional or dysregulated leukocyteactivation. In a preferred embodiment, provided herein are smallmolecule chemical compositions useful for the prevention and treatmentof acute inflammatory disorders, chronic inflammatory disorders,autoimmune disorders, and transplant rejection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the nucleic acid sequence encoding cell cycleprotein SYK-UBP—isoform 1, SEQ ID NO:1, wherein a translation startcodon (ATG), an in frame upstream termination codon (TGA) andtranslation termination codon (TAA) are in bold and underlined.

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of cell cycle proteinSYK-UBP—isoform 1, SEQ ID NO:2.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the nucleic acid sequence encoding cell cycleprotein SYK-UBP—isoform 2, SEQ ID NO:3, wherein a translation startcodon (ATG), an in frame upstream termination codon (TGA) andtranslation termination codon (TAA) are in bold and underlined.Appearing in bold without underline is the nucleic acid sequence foundin isoform 2 and not in isoform 1 of SYK-UBP.

FIG. 4 shows the amino acid sequence of cell cycle proteinSYK-UBP—isoform 2, SEQ ID NO:4.

FIG. 5 shows domain analysis of the amino acid sequence of SUP protein(SEQ ID NO:5). The cysteine residue which is characteristic of ubiquitinspecific protease domains is enlarged and bolded. The two conservedhistidine residues that are characteristic of ubiquitin specificprotease domains are enlarged.

FIG. 6 summarizes results demonstrating that a C→S catalytically deadmutant isoform of SUP acts in dominant negative fashion to inhibit NFATactivation in response to surface Ig stimulation in B cells.

FIG. 7 shows results of yeast two hybrid screen using SYK protein asbait. The hits listed are nucleic acids encoding segments of the USP-25protein.

FIG. 8 (top) shows domain analysis of the amino acid sequence of SUPprotein (SEQ ID NO:5). The protein sequence is broken down into theubiquitin-associated domain, the ubiquitin protease domain, and theresponse regulatory domain. The catalytic cysteine active site with aconserved cysteine residue which is characteristic of ubiquitin specificprotease domains is indicated. The PKC site is indicated. The tyrosinephosphorylation site is indicated. The active site conserved histidinescharacteristic of ubiquitin specific protease domains are indicated.

FIG. 8 (bottom) shows Northern blot of USP-25 mRNA expression in humantissue samples and human cancer cell lines.

FIG. 9 (top) shows catalytically inactive USP-25 C to S mutant blocksTCR-induced expression of luciferase reporter gene fused toNFAT-responsive promoter in transfected cells. Cells transfected withUSP-25 C to S catalytic mutant “SUP(C>S)”, USP-25 wildtype “SUPwt”, orempty vector pEFnig. USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant also referred toherein as dominant negative USP-25 protein variant or grammaticalequivalents. Luciferase activity is determined in cells exposed todifferent concentrations of C305 (0, 100, 300, 1000 ng/mL0 whichactivates TCR. Western blots “wb” showing protein expression in cellsare also provided.

FIG. 9 (bottom) shows USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant inhibits NFATactivation by acting downstream of calcium signaling. Cells in thepresence or absence of phorbol ester and calcium ionophore (PMA+iono, +or −) and transfected with expression vectors encoding USP-25 C to Scatalytic mutant “SUPmt” or USP-25 wildtype “SUPwt” or empty vector.NFAT-responsive promoter fused to luciferase reporter gene andluciferase activity determined.

FIG. 10 (top) shows USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant does not affect AP-1activation by TCR activation or phorbol ester and calcium ionophore.AP-1 responsive elements fused to luciferase reporter gene in cellstransfected with empty vector “PCDEF-nig”, wildtype USP-25 “SUPwt-nig”,USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant “SUP(C>M)-nig”, or PAK2L “PAK2L-nig”. Inthe presence or absence of phorbol ester and ionomycin (PMA/iono+ or −),luciferase activity determined. Cells exposed to different concentrationof C305 (0 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, 300 ng/mL) which activates TCR, andluciferase activity determined.

FIG. 10 (bottom) shows catalytically inactive USP-25 does not affectTCR-induced calcium flux. FACS analysis of cells transfected with emptyvector “PCDEF nig vector”, or expression vector encoding wildtype USP-25“PCDEF SUP wt”, or USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant “PCDEF SUP mutant”, orTRAC “PCDEF TRAC”.

FIG. 11 (top) shows USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant does not affect CD69expression. FACS analysis of cells transfected with empty vector“pEFnig”, or expression vector encoding wildtype USP-25 protein“SUP-wf”, USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant “SUP(C>S) or PAK2L “PAK2L”, andexposed to different concentrations of C305 (0, 100 ng/mL, and 300ng/mL) which activates TCR.

FIG. 11 (bottom) shows N-terminal USP-25 truncation mutants inhibit NFATactivation. The figure shows the structure of wildtype USP-25 and threeN-terminal truncation mutants thereof (58–1055, 659–1055, and 861–1055).NFAT-responsive promoter is linked to luciferase reporter gene andluciferase activity is determined in cells transfected with empty vector“pEFnig” or expression vectors encoding wildtype USP-25 “SUP-wt”, or oneof the three indicated N-terminal truncations mutants thereof, or SLIM“SLIM nig”, and exposed to different concentrations of C305 (0, 100ng/mL, 300 ng/mL, 1000 ng/mL) which activates TCR.

FIG. 12 (top) shows USP-25 C to S catalytic mutant inhibits NFATactivation in BJAB cells. NFAT-responsive promoter is fused toluciferase reporter gene and luciferase activity is determined in cellstransfected with empty vector “pEFnig”, or expression vector encodingwildtype USP-25 “SUP-wt”, or one of three N-terminal truncation mutantsthereof and described in FIG. 11 (bottom), or USP-25 C to S catalyticmutant “SUP(C>S)”, or SLIM “SLIMnig”, and exposed to variedconcentrations of anti-IgM antibody (0, 100 ng/mL, 300 ng/mL).

FIG. 12 (bottom) is a schematic depiction of the possible regulatoryrole of USP-25 on an NFAT-responsive promoter.

FIG. 13 is a schematic depiction of the possible regulatory role ofUSP-25 on an NFAT-responsive promoter.

FIG. 14 shows that USP-25 mutants lacking the protease domain inhibitantigen receptor-induced NFAT activation in B cells. Bar graph showingresults of FACS assays done with BJAB cells.

FIG. 15 shows that USP-25 acts downstream of antigen receptor in theinhibition of NFAT activation in B cells. B cells are stimulated withphorbol ester (PMA) and calcium ionophore (ionomycin) in lieu of antigenreceptor stimulation. Bar graph showing results of FACS assays done withBJAB cells.

FIG. 16 shows N-terminus USP-25 truncation mutants, and C to S pointmutant, do not affect calcium ion flux in B cells. SUP (58–1055)indicates USP-25 protein, residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. SUP(659–1055) indicates USP-25 protein, residues 659–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.SUP(861–1055) indicates USP-25 protein, residues 861–1055 in SEQ IDNO:2). SUP (C→S) indicates USP-25 mutant, C to S mutation. Raw data fromFACS assays using BJAB cells.

FIG. 17 shows N-terminus USP-25 truncation mutants, and C to S pointmutant, do not affect CD69 expression in BJAB cells. Bar graphsummarizing results from FACS assays using BJAB cells.

FIG. 18 schematically depicts the action of USP-25 in thecalcium/calcineurin pathway, which acts on NFAT-responsive promoters inlymphocytes, such as the IL-2 promoter.

FIG. 19 schematically depicts the scheme for assaying effects of USP-25in primary T cells.

FIG. 20 schematically conveys that CD40L promoter activity isNFAT-dependent, but not AP-1 dependent.

FIG. 21 schematically depicts the interaction between CD40 and CD40L asbetween B and T cells, and conveys the importance of the interaction, asevidenced by clinical trials focused on interfering with the CD40/CD40Linteraction.

FIG. 22 shows that N-terminal truncation USP-25 mutant inhibits CD40Lexpression in primary T lymphocytes. Plots from FACS assays usingprimary T cells.

FIG. 23 shows that N-terminal truncation USP-25 mutant inhibits IL-2expression in primary T lymphocytes. Bar graph summarizing the resultsof FACS assays using primary T cells.

FIG. 24 schematically shows the structure of a constitutively activeisoform of calcineurin A.

FIG. 25 shows that constitutively active calcineurin activates NFAT, andthat this NFAT activation is independent of calcium mobilization. JurkatT cells, stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. Bar graph summarizingresults of FACS assays using Jurkat cells.

FIG. 26 shows N-terminus truncation mutant of USP-25 inhibits NFATactivation in Jurkat T cells induced by constitutively activecalcineurin. Cells are transiently transfected with increasing amountsof DNA encoding constitutively active calcineurin (0 to 1.00 ng).NFAT-responsive promoter with luciferase reporter.

FIG. 27 identifies proteins that interacted with USP-25 in a yeast twohybrid binding assay. The numbers indicate the number of hits per factorin the binding assay.

FIG. 28 schematically depicts the interaction of USP-25 andSUMO-conjugated IkB, and the involvement of this interaction in theregulation of Nf-kB nuclear localization and activation.

FIG. 29 shows that USP-25 N-terminus truncation mutant and USP-25catalytically dead point mutant have no affect on cell cycle progressionin HeLa cells.

FIG. 30 shows that USP-25 N-terminus truncation mutant and USP-25catalytically dead point mutant have no affect on cell cycle progressionin 293T cells.

FIG. 31 shows that USP-25 N-terminus truncation mutant and USP-25catalytically dead point mutant have no affect on cell cycle progressionin Jurkat T cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulatingleukocyte and platelet activation. Nucleic acids and proteins which arecapable of modulating leukocyte and platelet activation are provided.Compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders related to thedysfunction and dysregulation of leukocyte activation are also provided.Prophylactics and methods for the prevention of such disorders are alsoprovided. Also provided are compositions and methods for diagnostic andprognostic determination of such disorders. Further provided are assaysfor the identification of bioactive agents capable of modulatingleukocyte activation.

Accordingly, the present invention provides USP-25 proteins and USP-25nucleic acids.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acid comprises a nucleicacid sequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at least about90%, more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about98% identity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acid comprises the nucleicacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment,the USP-25 nucleic acid encodes a USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acidsequence encoded by a nucleic acid sequence having at least about 85%,more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%,more preferably at least about 98% identity to the nucleic acid sequenceset forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25protein comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides USP-25 nucleicacids comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding USP-25 proteins. In apreferred embodiment, a USP-25 nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acidsequence encoding an amino acid sequence having at least about 85%, morepreferably at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, morepreferably at least about 98% identity to the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4.

In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 nucleic acid providedherein comprises a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid sequence setforth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4.

Also provided herein are USP-25 antisense nucleic acids which nucleicacids will hybridize under high stringency conditions to a USP-25nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ IDNO:1 or 3. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisense nucleic acidinhibits expression of USP-25 protein encoded by USP-25 nucleic acid. Ina preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisense nucleic acid inhibitsUSP-25 protein activity. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 antisensenucleic acid has at least one activity possessed by a dominant negativeUSP-25 protein described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acidsequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%,more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at least about 98%identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. In apreferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. Preferably, the USP-25 proteinalso possesses one or more USP-25 bioactivities described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein consistsessentially of a ubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain. In apreferred embodiment, such a USP-25 protein consists essentially of anamino acid sequence having at least about 85%, more preferably at leastabout 90%, more preferably at least about 95%, more preferably at leastabout 98% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 in SEQ ID NO:2. In an especially preferred embodiment, the USP-25protein consists essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 1–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein consistsessentially of a protease domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain, but comprises a protease domain and aresponse regulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain, but comprises aresponse regulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such aUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably atleast about 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 659–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentiallyof the amino acid sequence set forth by residues 659–1055 in SEQ IDNO:2.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein provided herein lacks aubiquitin-associated domain and a protease domain and a responseregulatory protein domain. In a preferred embodiment, such a USP-25protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having at leastabout 85%, more preferably at least about 90%, more preferably at leastabout 95%, more preferably at least about 98% identity to the amino acidsequence set forth by residues 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2. In an especiallypreferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein consists essentially of theamino acid sequence set forth by residues 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

A USP-25 protein of the present invention may be identified in severalways. “Protein” in this sense includes proteins, polypeptides, andpeptides. A USP-25 protein may be identified by its association with aprotein known to be involved in leukocyte activation. A USP-25 proteinmay be identified by homology to ubiquitin-specific peptidases. A USP-25protein may be identified by possession of a conservedubiquitin-specific peptidase domain, a ubiquitin associated domain, anda ubiquitin hydrolase motif. A USP-25 protein may be identified bypossession of ubiquitin-specific peptidase activity. A USP-25 proteinmay be identified by possession of peptidase activity directedspecifically at ubiquitin-like proteins, for example SMT3/SUMO andNEDD8/RUBY.

In one embodiment, the USP-25 protein has one or more of the followingcharacteristics: ability to bind to SYK, IkB, UBC9, calcineurin, orubiquitin conjugates thereof, or ubiquitin-like protein conjugatesthereof; homology and/or identity to USP-25 isoform 1 (SEQ ID NO: 2) orUSP-25 isoform 2 (SEQ ID NO: 4); homology to ubiquitin-specificpeptidases (herein used interchangeably with ubiquitin isopeptidases,and ubiquitin-specific proteases); homology to peptidases specific forubiquitin-like proteins such as SMT3/SUMO and NEDD8/RUBY;ubiquitin-specific peptidase activity; ubiquitin-like protein-specificpeptidase activity; the ability to modulate leukocyte and plateletactivation, the ability to modulate CD40L expression in primary Tlymphocytes; the ability to modulate Nf-kB activity; the ability tomodulate IL-2 expression in primary T lymphocytes; and the ability tomodulate NFAT activity. Homology and identity to ubiquitin-specificproteases and to USP-25 isoforms 1 and 2 can be determined as describedbelow. In one embodiment, homology and identity are determined byperforming a Blastp search in Genbank's non-redundant protein databaseusing default parameters. In another embodiment, homology and identityare determined using the following database and parameters:Database:Non-redundant GenBank CDStranslations+PDB+SwissProt+Spupdate+PIR; Lambda of 0.316, K of 0.133 andH of 0; Gapped Lambda of 0.27, K of 0.047, and H of 4.94e-324; Matrix isBLOSUM62; Gap Penalties: Existence: 11, Extension: 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4. The characteristics describedbelow can apply to other USP-25 proteins provided herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein has amino acid sequencesimilarity to ubiquitin-specific proteases, ubiquitin isopeptidases,ubiquitin hydrolases, ubiquitin peptidases, and grammatical equivalentsthereof, which enzymes remove ubiquitin from their substrates. In afurther preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein has a ubiquitinassociated domain, a ubiquitin peptidase domain comprising a conservedcysteine and two conserved histidine residues, and a ubiquitin hydrolasemotif. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein has ubiquitinspecific peptidase activity. In another preferred embodiment, USP-25protein has ubiquitin-like protein-specific peptidase activity,preferably directed at the SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-likeproteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to SYK. In oneaspect, the USP-25 protein binds to SYK in T cells. In one aspect, theUSP-25 protein binds to SYK in B cells. In one aspect, the USP-25protein binds to SYK in mast cells. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinbinds to SYK in macrophages. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds toSYK in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinbinds to SYK in granulocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds toSYK in platelets. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein willmodulate SYK protein level or activity in leukocytes and platelets thatexpress SYK protein. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein willmodulate the activation of leukocytes and platelets that express SYKprotein.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds toubiquitin-conjugated SYK protein. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinremoves ubiquitin therefrom. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein modulatesSYK protein tyrosine kinase activity.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to SYK proteinconjugated to ubiquitin-like protein. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinremoves ubiquitin-like protein therefrom. In one aspect, the USP-25protein modulates SYK protein tyrosine kinase activity.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to calcineurinand/or UBC9. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds to calcineurinand/or UBC9 in T cells. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds tocalcineurin and/or UBC9 in B cells. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinbinds to calcineurin and/or UBC9 in mast cells. In one aspect, theUSP-25 protein binds to calcineurin and/or UBC9 in macrophages. In oneaspect, the USP-25 protein binds to calcineurin and/or UBC9 inperipheral blood lymphocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds tocalcineurin and/or UBC9 in granulocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25protein binds to calcineurin and/or UBC9 in platelets. In one aspect,the USP-25 protein modulates calcineurin and/or UBC9 level or activity.In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein will modulate theactivation of leukocytes and platelets that express UBC9 and/orcalcineurin.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds toubiquitin-conjugated UBC9 and/or calcineurin protein. In one aspect, theUSP-25 protein removes ubiquitin therefrom. In one aspect, the USP-25protein modulates calcineurin phosphatase activity and/or UBC9 ubiquitinor ubiquitin-like protein conjugating activity.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to UBC9 and/orcalcineurin conjugated to ubiquitin-like protein. In one aspect, theUSP-25 protein removes ubiquitin-like protein therefrom. In one aspect,the USP-25 protein modulates calcineurin phosphatase activity and/orUBC9 ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like protein conjugating activity.

Calcineurin is a known calcium/calmodulin sensitive phosphatase which isimportant in lymphocyte function and activation (for example, see Lewis,Annu. Rev. Immunol. 19:497–521, 2001; Stankunas et. al., Cold SpringHarb. Symp. Quant. Biol., 64:505–516, 1999). Methods for thedetermination of calcineurin activity are known (for example seeStankunas, supra; Baumgrass et. al., J. Biol. Chem. manuscriptM103273200, 11, Oct. 2001).

UBC9 is a known ubiquitin conjugating enzyme which is capable ofconjugating ubiquitin-like protein to target proteins and methods fordetermining UBC9 activity are known (for example see Schwarz et. al.,Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci., 95:560–564, 1998).

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to IkB. In oneaspect, the USP-25 protein binds to IkB in T cells. In one aspect, theUSP-25 protein binds to IkB in B cells. In one aspect, the USP-25protein binds to IkB in mast cells. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinbinds to IkB in macrophages. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds toIkB in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinbinds to IkB in granulocytes. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein binds toIkB in platelets. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein modulates IkB andNf-kB activity. In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein willmodulate the activation of leukocytes and platelets that express Nf-kBand IkB.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein binds to IkB conjugated toubiquitin-like protein. In one aspect, the USP-25 protein removesubiquitin-like protein therefrom. In one aspect, the USP-25 proteinmodulates SUMO association with IkB. In one embodiment, USP-25 proteinmodulates Nf-kB activity by modulating SUMO association with IkB.

In one embodiment, USP-25 nucleic acids or USP-25 proteins can beinitially identified by substantial nucleic acid and/or amino acidsequence identity or similarity to the sequences provided herein. In apreferred embodiment, USP-25 nucleic acids or USP-25 proteins havesequence identity or similarity to the sequences provided herein asdescribed below and one or more USP-25 bioactivities. Such sequenceidentity or similarity can be based upon the overall nucleic acid oramino acid sequence.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acidsequence having preferably greater than about 75% identity overall tothe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4, more preferablygreater that about 80%, even more preferably greater than about 85% andmost preferably greater than about 90%. In some embodiments the sequenceidentity will be as high as about 93, 95 or 98%.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein comprises an amino acidsequence having at least about 90%, more preferably at least about 95%,more preferably at least about 98% identity to a portion of the aminoacid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 and comprises aubiquitin-specific peptidase domain.

In another preferred embodiment, a USP-25 protein has an overallsequence similarity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 4 ofgreater than about 80%, more preferably greater than about 85%, evenmore preferably greater than about 90% and most preferably greater than93%. In some embodiments the sequence identity will be as high as about95 to 98 or 99%.

As is known in the art, a number of different programs can be used toidentify whether a protein (or nucleic acid as discussed below) hassequence identity or similarity to a known sequence. Sequence identityand/or similarity is determined using standard techniques known in theart, including, but not limited to, the local sequence identityalgorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482 (1981), by thesequence identity alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. Mol.Biool. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson &Lipman, PNAS USA 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementations ofthese algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the WisconsinGenetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive,Madison, Wis.), the Best Fit sequence program described by Devereux etal., Nucl. Acid Res. 12:387–395 (1984), preferably using the defaultsettings, or by inspection. Preferably, percent identity is calculatedby FastDB based upon the following parameters: mismatch penalty of 1;gap penalty of 1; gap size penalty of 0.33; and joining penalty of 30,“Current Methods in Sequence Comparison and Analysis,” MacromoleculeSequencing and Synthesis, Selected Methods and Applications, pp 127–149(1988), Alan R. Liss, Inc.

An example of a useful algorithm is PILEUP. PILEUP creates a multiplesequence alignment from a group of related sequences using progressive,pairwise alignments. It can also plot a tree showing the clusteringrelationships used to create the alignment. PILEUP uses a simplificationof the progressive alignment method of Feng & Doolittle, J. Mol. Evol.35:351–360 (1987); the method is similar to that described by Higgins &Sharp CABIOS 5:151–153 (1989). Useful PILEUP parameters including adefault gap weight of 3.00, a default gap length weight of 0.10, andweighted end gaps.

Another example of a useful algorithm is the BLAST algorithm, describedin Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215, 403–410, (1990) and Karlin etal., PNAS USA 90:5873–5787 (1993). A particularly useful BLAST programis the WU-BLAST-2 program which was obtained from Altschul et al.,Methods in Enzymology, 266: 460–480 (1996)]. WU-BLAST-2 uses severalsearch parameters, most of which are set to the default values. Theadjustable parameters are set with the following values: overlap span=1,overlap fraction=0.125, word threshold (T)=11. The HSP S and HSP S2parameters are dynamic values and are established by the program itselfdepending upon the composition of the particular sequence andcomposition of the particular database against which the sequence ofinterest is being searched; however, the values may be adjusted toincrease sensitivity.

An additional useful algorithm is gapped BLAST as reported by Altschulet al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389–3402. Gapped BLAST uses BLOSUM-62substitution scores; threshold T parameter set to 9; the two-hit methodto trigger ungapped extensions; charges gap lengths of k a cost of 10+k;X_(u) set to 16, and X_(g) set to 40 for database search stage and to 67for the output stage of the algorithms. Gapped alignments are triggeredby a score corresponding to ˜22 bits.

A percent amino acid sequence identity value is determined by the numberof matching identical residues divided by the total number of residuesof the “longer” sequence in the aligned region. The “longer” sequence isthe one having the most actual residues in the aligned region (gapsintroduced by WU-Blast-2 to maximize the alignment score are ignored).

In a similar manner, “percent (%) nucleic acid sequence identity” withrespect to the coding sequence of the polypeptides identified herein isdefined as the percentage of nucleotide residues in a candidate sequencethat are identical with the nucleotide residues in the coding sequenceof the USP-25 protein. A preferred method utilizes the BLASTN module ofWU-BLAST-2 set to the default parameters, with overlap span and overlapfraction set to 1 and 0.125, respectively.

The alignment may include the introduction of gaps in the sequences tobe aligned. In addition, for sequences which contain either more orfewer amino acids than the protein encoded by the sequences in theFigures, it is understood that in one embodiment, the percentage ofsequence identity will be determined based on the number of identicalamino acids in relation to the total number of amino acids. Thus, forexample, sequence identity of sequences shorter than that shown in theFigure, as discussed below, will be determined using the number of aminoacids in the shorter sequence, in one embodiment. In percent identitycalculations relative weight is not assigned to various manifestationsof sequence variation, such as, insertions, deletions, substitutions,etc.

In one embodiment, only identities are scored positively (+1) and allforms of sequence variation including gaps are assigned a value of “0”,which obviates the need for a weighted scale or parameters as describedbelow for sequence similarity calculations. Percent sequence identitycan be calculated, for example, by dividing the number of matchingidentical residues by the total number of residues of the “shorter”sequence in the aligned region and multiplying by 100. The “longer”sequence is the one having the most actual residues in the alignedregion.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the sequences of thepresent invention may contain sequencing errors. That is, there may beincorrect nucleosides, frameshifts, unknown nucleosides, or other typesof sequencing errors in any of the sequences; however, the correctsequences will fall within the homology and stringency definitionsherein.

USP-25 proteins of the present invention may be shorter or longer thanthe amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleic acid sequences shown inSEQ ID NO:1 and 3. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, included within thedefinition of USP-25 proteins are portions or fragments of the aminoacid sequences encoded by the nucleic acid sequences provided herein. Inone embodiment herein, fragments of USP-25 proteins are consideredUSP-25 proteins if a) they share at least one antigenic epitope; b) haveat least the indicated sequence identity; c) and preferably have USP-25protein activity as further defined herein. In one embodiment, fragmentsof USP-25 proteins are considered USP-25 proteins if: a) they have atleast the indicated sequence identity; and b) they possess aubiquitin-specific peptidase domain. In some cases, where the sequenceis used diagnostically, that is, when the presence or absence of USP-25nucleic acid is determined, only the indicated sequence identity isrequired. The nucleic acids of the present invention may also be shorteror longer than the sequences in SEQ ID NO:1 and 3. The nucleic acidfragments include any portion of the nucleic acids provided herein whichhave a sequence not exactly previously identified; fragments havingsequences with the indicated sequence identity to that portion notpreviously identified are provided in an embodiment herein.

In addition, as is more fully outlined below, USP-25 proteins can bemade that are longer than those depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and 4; forexample, by the addition of epitope or purification tags, the additionof other fusion sequences, or the elucidation of additional coding andnon-coding sequences. As described below, the fusion of a USP-25 peptideto a fluorescent protein, such as Blue Fluorescent Protein (BFP) orGreen Fluorescent Protein (GFP), including those of Aquorea and Renillaspecies, is particularly preferred.

USP-25 proteins may also be identified as encoded by USP-25 nucleicacids which hybridize to the sequences depicted in SEQ ID NO:1 and 3their complements, or fragments thereof or their complements, asoutlined herein. Hybridization conditions are further described below.

In a preferred embodiment, when a USP-25 protein is to be used togenerate antibodies, a USP-25 protein must share at least one epitope ordeterminant with the full length protein. By “epitope” or “determinant”herein is meant a portion of a protein which will generate and/or bindan antibody. Thus, in most instances, antibodies made to a smallerUSP-25 protein will be able to bind to the full length protein. In apreferred embodiment, the epitope is unique; that is, antibodiesgenerated to a unique epitope show little or no cross-reactivity. Theterm “antibody” includes antibody fragments, as are known in the art,including Fab Fab₂, single chain antibodies (Fv for example), chimericantibodies, etc., either produced by the modification of wholeantibodies or those synthesized de novo using recombinant DNAtechnologies.

In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies to a USP-25 protein arecapable of reducing or eliminating the biological function of the USP-25proteins described herein, as is described below. That is, the additionof anti-USP-25 antibodies (either polyclonal or preferably monoclonal)to USP-25 proteins (or cells containing USP-25 proteins) may reduce oreliminate their ability to modulate leukocyte and platelet activation.Generally, at least a 25% decrease in activity is preferred, with atleast about 50% being particularly preferred and about a 95–100%decrease being especially preferred.

The anti-USP-25 antibodies of the invention bind to USP-25 proteins. Ina preferred embodiment, the antibodies specifically bind to USP-25proteins. By “specifically bind” herein is meant that the antibodiesbind to the protein with a binding constant in the range of at least10⁻⁴–10⁻⁶ M⁻¹, with a preferred range being 10⁻⁷–10⁻⁹ M⁻¹. Antibodiesare further described below.

In the case of a USP-25 nucleic acid, the overall sequence identity ofthe nucleic acid sequence is commensurate with amino acid sequenceidentity but takes into account the degeneracy in the genetic code andcodon bias of different organisms. Accordingly, the nucleic acidsequence identity may be either lower or higher than that of the proteinsequence. A USP-25 nucleic acid of the present invention comprises anucleic acid sequence that preferably has greater than about 75%identity to the nucleic acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3,more preferably greater than about 80%, particularly greater than about85% and most preferably greater than 90%. In some embodiments thesequence identity will be as high as about 93 to 95 or 98%.

In a preferred embodiment, a USP-25 nucleic acid encodes a USP-25protein. As will be appreciated by those in the art, due to thedegeneracy of the genetic code, an extremely large number of nucleicacids may be made, all of which encode the USP-25 proteins of thepresent invention. Thus, having identified a particular amino acidsequence, those skilled in the art could make any number of differentnucleic acids, by simply modifying the sequence of one or more codons ina way which does not change the amino acid sequence of the USP-25protein.

In one embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acid is determined throughhybridization studies. Thus, for example, nucleic acids which hybridizeunder high stringency conditions to the nucleic acid sequences shown inSEQ ID NO:1 and 3 or their complements, or fragments thereof or theircomplements, are considered USP-25 nucleic acids. High stringencyconditions are known in the art; see for example Maniatis et al.,Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2d Edition, 1989, and ShortProtocols in Molecular Biology, ed. Ausubel, et al., both of which arehereby incorporated by reference. Stringent conditions aresequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances.Longer sequences hybridize specifically at higher temperatures. Anextensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found inTijssen, Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridizationwith Nucleic Acid Probes, “Overview of principles of hybridization andthe strategy of nucleic acid assays” (1993). Generally, stringentconditions are selected to be about 5–10° C. lower than the thermalmelting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequence at a defined ionicstrength pH. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength,pH and nucleic acid concentration) at which 50% of the probescomplementary to the target hybridize to the target sequence atequilibrium (as the target sequences are present in excess, at T_(m),50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent conditionswill be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M sodium ion concentration (orother salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30°C. for short probes (e.g. 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60°C. for long probes (e.g. greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringentconditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizingagents such as formamide.

In another embodiment, less stringent hybridization conditions are used;for example, moderate or low stringency conditions may be used, as areknown in the art; see Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Sambrooket al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 3rd edition, 2001, ColdSpring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; and Tijssen, supra.

The USP-25 proteins and USP-25 nucleic acids of the present inventionare preferably recombinant. As used herein and further defined below,“nucleic acid” may refer to either DNA or RNA, or molecules whichcontain both deoxy- and ribonucleotides. The nucleic acids includegenomic DNA, cDNA and oligonucleotides including sense and anti-sensenucleic acids. Such nucleic acids may also contain modifications in theribose-phosphate backbone to increase stability and half life of suchmolecules in physiological environments.

The nucleic acid may be double stranded, single stranded, or containportions of both double stranded and single stranded sequence. As willbe appreciated by those in the art, the depiction of a single strand(“Watson”) also defines the sequence of the other strand (“Crick”); thusthe sequences depicted in the Figures also include the complement of thesequence. By the term “recombinant nucleic acid” herein is meant nucleicacid, originally formed in vitro, in general, by the manipulation ofnucleic acid by endonucleases, in a form not normally found in nature.Thus an isolated USP-25 nucleic acid, in a linear form, or an expressionvector formed in vitro by ligating DNA molecules that are not normallyjoined, are both considered recombinant for the purposes of thisinvention. It is understood that once a recombinant nucleic acid is madeand reintroduced into a host cell or organism, it will replicatenon-recombinantly, i.e. using the in vivo cellular machinery of the hostcell rather than in vitro manipulations; however, such nucleic acids,once produced recombinantly, although subsequently replicatednon-recombinantly, are still considered recombinant for the purposes ofthe invention.

Similarly, a “recombinant protein” is a protein made using recombinanttechniques, i.e. through the expression of a recombinant nucleic acid asdepicted above. A recombinant protein is distinguished from naturallyoccurring protein by at least one or more characteristics. For example,the protein may be isolated or purified away from some or all of theproteins and compounds with which it is normally associated in its wildtype host, and thus may be substantially pure. For example, an isolatedprotein is unaccompanied by at least some of the material with which itis normally associated in its natural state, preferably constituting atleast about 0.5%, more preferably at least about 5% by weight of thetotal protein in a given sample. A substantially pure protein comprisesat least about 75% by weight of the total protein, with at least about80% being preferred, and at least about 90% being particularlypreferred. The definition includes the production of a USP-25 proteinfrom one organism in a different organism or host cell. Alternatively,the protein may be made at a significantly higher concentration than isnormally seen, through the use of a inducible promoter or highexpression promoter, such that the protein is made at increasedconcentration levels. Alternatively, the protein may be in a form notnormally found in nature, as in the addition of an epitope tag or aminoacid substitutions, insertions and deletions, as discussed below.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides USP-25 proteinvariants. These variants fall into one or more of three classes:substitutional, insertional or deletional variants. These variantsordinarily are prepared by site specific mutagenesis of nucleotides inthe DNA encoding a USP-25 protein, using cassette or PCR mutagenesis orother techniques well known in the art, to produce DNA encoding thevariant, and thereafter expressing the DNA in recombinant cell cultureas outlined above. However, variant USP-25 protein fragments having upto about 100–150 residues may be prepared by in vitro synthesis usingestablished techniques. Amino acid sequence variants are characterizedby the predetermined nature of the variation, a feature that sets themapart from naturally occurring allelic or interspecies variation of theUSP-25 protein amino acid sequence. The variants typically exhibit thesame qualitative biological activity as the naturally occurringanalogue, although variants can also be selected which have modifiedcharacteristics as will be more fully outlined below.

While the site or region for introducing an amino acid sequencevariation is predetermined, the mutation per se need not bepredetermined. For example, in order to optimize the performance of amutation at a given site, random mutagenesis may be conducted at thetarget codon or region and the expressed USP-25 protein variantsscreened for the optimal combination of desired activity.

Techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites inDNA having a known sequence are well known, for example, M13 primermutagenesis and PCR mutagenesis. Screening of the mutants is done usingassays of USP-25 protein activities.

Amino acid substitutions are typically of single residues; insertionsusually will be on the order of from about 1 to 20 amino acids, althoughconsiderably larger insertions may be tolerated. Deletions range fromabout 1 to about 20 residues, although in some cases deletions may bemuch larger.

Substitutions, deletions, insertions or any combination thereof may beused to arrive at a final derivative. Generally these changes are doneon a few amino acids to minimize the alteration of the molecule.However, larger changes may be tolerated in certain circumstances. Whensmall alterations in the characteristics of the USP-25 protein aredesired, substitutions are generally made in accordance with thefollowing chart:

CHART I Original Residue Exemplary Substitutions Ala Ser Arg Lys AsnGln, His Asp Glu Cys Ser Gln Asn Glu Asp Gly Pro His Asn, Gln Ile Leu,Val Leu Ile, Val Lys Arg, Gln, Glu Met Leu, Ile Phe Met, Leu, Tyr SerThr Thr Ser Trp Tyr Tyr Trp, Phe Val Ile, Leu

Substantial changes in function or immunological identity are made byselecting substitutions that are less conservative than those shown inChart I. For example, substitutions may be made which more significantlyaffect: the structure of the polypeptide backbone in the area of thealteration, for example the alpha-helical or beta-sheet structure; thecharge or hydrophobicity of the molecule at the target site; or the bulkof the side chain. The substitutions which in general are expected toproduce the greatest changes in the polypeptide's properties are thosein which (a) a hydrophilic residue, e.g. seryl or threonyl, issubstituted for (or by) a hydrophobic residue, e.g. leucyl, isoleucyl,phenylalanyl, valyl or alanyl; (b) a cysteine or proline is substitutedfor (or by) any other residue; (c) a residue having an electropositiveside chain, e.g. lysyl, arginyl, or histidyl, is substituted for (or by)an electronegative residue, e.g. glutamyl or aspartyl; or (d) a residuehaving a bulky side chain, e.g. phenylalanine, is substituted for (orby) one not having a side chain, e.g. glycine.

The variants typically exhibit the same qualitative biological activityand will elicit the same immune response as the naturally-occurringanalogue, although variants also are selected to modify thecharacteristics of the USP-25 proteins as needed. Alternatively, thevariant may be designed such that the biological activity of the USP-25protein is altered. For example, glycosylation sites may be altered orremoved.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 variant proteins are provided whichlack at least one USP-25 protein activity. In one aspect, the USP-25variant protein lacks ubiquitin-specific peptidase activity. In oneaspect, the USP-25 variant protein lacks ubiquitin-specific peptidaseactivity directed at ubiquitin conjugated SYK, calcineurin, or UBC9protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides USP-25 variantproteins having a substitution mutation whereby a conserved cysteineresidue in the ubiquitin-specific peptidase catalytic domaincorresponding to the conserved cysteine identified in the ubiquitinpeptidase domain in FIG. 5 is replaced by an alternative residue,preferably methionine or serine.

In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein lacks peptidase activitydirected at ubiquitin-like proteins. In a preferred embodiment, theUSP-25 variant protein lacks peptidase activity directed at SMT3/SUMO orNEDD8/RUBY. In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein lacks peptidaseactivity directed at SYK, calcineurin, Ik-B, or UBC9 protein conjugatedto ubiquitin-like protein. Preferably, the conjugated ubiquitin-likeprotein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY.

Additionally provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention areN-terminal truncated USP-25 proteins which similarly lackubiquitin-specific peptidase activity. In an especially preferredembodiment, these proteins consist essentially of the amino acidsequences set forth by residues 659–1055 or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

Such USP-25 variant and N-terminal truncated proteins exhibit dominantnegative activity, i.e. they inhibit the activity of wildtype USP-25proteins.

Additionally provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention areN-terminal truncated USP-25 proteins which have dominant negativeactivity, and lack a ubiquitin-associated domain. In an especiallypreferred embodiment, these proteins consist essentially of the aminoacid sequence set forth by residues 58–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein decreases SYKactivity. In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein decreasesSYK protein tyrosine kinase activity. Without being bound by theory,this decrease in SYK activity is due to an increase in the level ofubiquitination of SYK and a decrease in the amount or activity of SYK.In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein decreases basallymphocyte activity. In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 proteininhibits or decreases lymphocyte activation, for example in response tostimuli including but not limited to BCR and TCR engagement. In oneaspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein inhibits or decreases mastcell activation, for example in response to stimuli including but notlimited to antigen binding to surface IgE.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulates SYKactivity. In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesSYK protein tyrosine kinase activity.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatescalcineurin activity, preferably phosphatase activity. In one aspect,the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulates UBC9 activity, preferablyubiquitin or ubiquitin-like conjugating activity. Without being bound bytheory, modulation of calcineurin and UBC9 activity by USP-25 ismediated by the proteolytic activity of USP-25 directed at ubiquitin orubiquitin-like proteins conjugated to calcineurin and UBC9.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulates Nf-kBactivity. Without being bound by theory, USP-25 dominant negativeprotein modulates NF-kB activity through the modulation of IkBconjugation to SUMO.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesubiquitination of SYK. In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25protein modulates conjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins to Syk.Preferably, conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins are the SMT3/SUMO orNEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-like proteins.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesubiquitination of calcineurin. In one aspect, the dominant negativeUSP-25 protein modulates conjugation of ubiquitin-like protein tocalcineurin. In another aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 proteinmodulates ubiquitination of a calcineurin target protein. In anotheraspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulates conjugation ofubiquitin-like protein to a calcineurin target protein. Preferably,conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins are the SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBYubiquitin-like proteins.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesconjugation of ubiquitin-like proteins to IkB. Preferably, conjugatedubiquitin-like proteins are the SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-likeproteins.

In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesubiquitination of UBC9. In one aspect, the dominant negative USP-25protein modulates conjugation of ubiquitin-like protein to UBC9. Inanother aspect, the dominant negative USP-25 protein modulatesubiquitination of a UBC9 target protein. In another aspect, the dominantnegative USP-25 protein modulates conjugation of ubiquitin-like proteinto a UBC9 target protein. Preferably, conjugated ubiquitin-like proteinsare the SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-like proteins.

In one embodiment, the dominant negative USP-25 protein inhibitsactivation of the NFAT gene promoter in lymphocytes.

In one embodiment, the dominant negative USP-25 protein inhibitsactivation of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene promoter inlymphocytes.

Without being bound by theory, in one aspect the dominant negativeUSP-25 protein acts downstream of TCR, BCR, surface IgE, or othersurface antigen receptor which will activate leukocytes or platelets.Without being bound by theory, in one aspect the dominant negativeUSP-25 protein acts downstream of release of intracellular calciumstores and downstream of the internalization of extracellular calcium.Without being bound by theory, the dominant negative USP-25 proteinmodulates calcineurin activity or acts downstream of calcineurin. In anespecially preferred embodiment, the USP-25 dominant negative proteinacts downstream of calcineurin to modulate NFAT activation.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 variant proteins are provided whichhave constitutive ubiquitin peptidase activity and/or a higher specificactivity (i.e. increased ubiquitin peptidase activity per molecule). Anincrease in activity may be due to a higher level catalytic efficiency(lower activation energy), a higher affinity for substrate, a lowerlevel of inhibition, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, such USP-25 variants increase SYK activity. In oneaspect, such USP-25 variants increase SYK protein tyrosine kinaseactivity. Without being bound by theory, this increase in SYK activityis due to a decrease in the level of ubiquitination of SYK and anincrease in the level or activity of SYK. In one aspect, such USP-25variants increase basal lymphocyte activity. In one aspect, such USP-25variant proteins potentiate or increase lymphocyte activation, forexample in response to stimuli including but not limited to BCR and TCRengagement. In one aspect, such USP-25 variant proteins increase mastcell activation, for example in response to stimulation including butnot limited to binding of antigen to surface IgE.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 variant proteins are provided whichhave constitutive ubiquitin-like protein specific peptidase activityand/or a higher specific activity (i.e. increased ubiquitin peptidaseactivity per molecule). An increase in activity may be due to a higherlevel catalytic efficiency (lower activation energy), a higher affinityfor substrate, a lower level of inhibition, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect, such USP-25 variants increase SYK activity. In oneaspect, such USP-25 variants increase SYK protein tyrosine kinaseactivity. Without being bound by theory, this increase in SYK activityis due to a decrease in the level of ubiquitin-like protein conjugationto SYK and an increase in the activity of SYK. In one aspect, suchUSP-25 variants increase basal lymphocyte activity. In one aspect, suchUSP-25 variant proteins potentiate or increase lymphocyte activation,for example in response to stimuli including but not limited to BCR andTCR engagement. In one aspect, such USP-25 variant proteins increasemast cell activation, for example in response to stimulation includingbut not limited to binding of antigen to surface IgE.

In one aspect, such variants modulate Nf-kB activity. Without beingbound by theory, modulation of Nf-kB activity by variants is through themodulation of SUMO conjugation to IkB.

In one aspect, the USP-25 variants modulate calcineurin activity,preferably phosphatase activity. In one aspect, the SUP-25 proteinvariant modulates UBC9 activity, preferably ubiquitin or ubiquitin-likeconjugating activity.

In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulates ubiquitination ofcalcineurin. In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulatesconjugation of ubiquitin-like protein to calcineurin. In another aspect,the USP-25 variant protein modulates ubiquitination of a calcineurintarget protein. In another aspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulatesconjugation of ubiquitin-like protein to a calcineurin target protein.Preferably, conjugated ubiquitin-like proteins are the SMT3/SUMO orNEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-like proteins.

In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulates ubiquitination ofUBC9. In one aspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulates conjugation ofubiquitin-like protein to UBC9. In another aspect, the USP-25 variantprotein modulates ubiquitination of a UBC9 target protein. In anotheraspect, the USP-25 variant protein modulates conjugation ofubiquitin-like protein to a UBC9 target protein. Preferably, conjugatedubiquitin-like proteins are the SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY ubiquitin-likeproteins.

Covalent modifications of USP-25 polypeptides are included within thescope of this invention. One type of covalent modification includesreacting targeted amino acid residues of a USP-25 polypeptide with anorganic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selectedside chains or the N-or C-terminal residues of a USP-25 polypeptide.Derivatization with bifunctional agents is useful, for instance, forcrosslinking USP-25 to a water-insoluble support matrix or surface foruse in the method for purifying anti-USP-25 antibodies or screeningassays, as is more fully described below. Commonly used crosslinkingagents include, e.g., 1,1-bis(diazoacetyl)-2-phenylethane,glutaraldehyde, N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, for example, esters with4-azidosalicylic acid, homobifunctional imidoesters, includingdisuccinimidyl esters such as 3,3′-dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate),bifunctional maleimides such as bis-N-maleimido-1,8-octane and agentssuch as methyl-3-[(p-azidophenyl)dithio]propioimidate.

Other modifications include deamidation of glutaminyl and asparaginylresidues to the corresponding glutamyl and aspartyl residues,respectively, hydroxylation of proline and lysine, phosphorylation ofhydroxyl groups of seryl or threonyl residues, methylation of the“-amino groups of lysine, arginine, and histidine side chains [T. E.Creighton, Proteins: Structure and Molecular Properties, W. H. Freeman &Co., San Francisco, pp. 79–86 (1983)], acetylation of the N-terminalamine, and amidation of any C-terminal carboxyl group.

Another type of covalent modification of the USP-25 polypeptide includedwithin the scope of this invention comprises altering the nativeglycosylation pattern of the polypeptide. “Altering the nativeglycosylation pattern” is intended for purposes herein to mean deletingone or more carbohydrate moieties found in native sequence USP-25polypeptide, and/or adding one or more glycosylation sites that are notpresent in the native sequence USP-25 polypeptide.

Addition of glycosylation sites to USP-25 polypeptides may beaccomplished by altering the amino acid sequence thereof. The alterationmay be made, for example, by the addition of, or substitution by, one ormore serine or threonine residues to the native sequence USP-25polypeptide (for O-linked glycosylation sites). The USP-25 amino acidsequence may optionally be altered through changes at the DNA level,particularly by mutating the DNA encoding the USP-25 polypeptide atpreselected bases such that codons are generated that will translateinto the desired amino acids.

Another means of increasing the number of carbohydrate moieties on theUSP-25 polypeptide is by chemical or enzymatic coupling of glycosides tothe polypeptide. Such methods are described in the art, e.g., in WO87/05330 published 11, Sep. 1987, and in Aplin and Wriston, CRC Crit.Rev. Biochem., pp. 259–306 (1981).

Removal of carbohydrate moieties present on the USP-25 polypeptide maybe accomplished chemically or enzymatically or by mutationalsubstitution of codons encoding for amino acid residues that serve astargets for glycosylation. Chemical deglycosylation techniques are knownin the art and described, for instance, by Hakimuddin, et al., Arch.Biochem. Biophys., 259:52 (1987) and by Edge et al., Anal. Biochem.,118:131 (1981). Enzymatic cleavage of carbohydrate moieties onpolypeptides can be achieved by the use of a variety of endo-andexo-glycosidases as described by Thotakura et al., Meth. Enzymol.,138:350 (1987).

Another type of covalent modification of USP-25 comprises linking theUSP-25 polypeptide to one of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers,e.g., polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, inthe manner set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144;4,670,417; 4,791,192 or 4,179,337.

USP-25 polypeptides of the present invention may also be modified in away to form chimeric molecules comprising a USP-25 polypeptide fused toanother, heterologous polypeptide or amino acid sequence. In oneembodiment, such a chimeric molecule comprises a fusion of a USP-25polypeptide with a tag polypeptide which provides an epitope to which ananti-tag antibody can selectively bind. In a preferred embodiment, sucha tag is the “flag tag” described below. The epitope tag is generallyplaced at the amino-or carboxyl-terminus of the USP-25 polypeptide. Thepresence of such epitope-tagged forms of a USP-25 polypeptide can bedetected using an antibody against the tag polypeptide. Also, provisionof the epitope tag enables the USP-25 polypeptide to be readily purifiedby affinity purification using an anti-tag antibody or another type ofaffinity matrix that binds to the epitope tag. In an alternativeembodiment, the chimeric molecule may comprise a fusion of a USP-25polypeptide with an immunoglobulin or a particular region of animmunoglobulin. For a bivalent form of the chimeric molecule, such afusion could be to the Fc region of an IgG molecule as discussed furtherbelow.

Various tag polypeptides and their respective antibodies are well knownin the art. Examples include poly-histidine (poly-his) orpoly-histidine-glycine (poly-his-gly) tags; the flu HA tag polypeptideand its antibody 12CA5 [Field et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 8:2159–2165(1988)]; the c-myc tag and the 8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9E10antibodies thereto [Evan et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology,5:3610–3616 (1985)]; and the Herpes Simplex virus glycoprotein D (gD)tag and its antibody [Paborsky et al., Protein Engineering, 3(6):547–553(1990)]. Other tag polypeptides include the Flag-peptide [Hopp et al.,BioTechnology, 6:1204–1210 (1988)]; the KT3 epitope peptide [Martin etal., Science, 255:192–194 (1992)]; tubulin epitope peptide [Skinner etal., J. Biol. Chem., 266:15163–15166 (1991)]; and the T7 gene 10 proteinpeptide tag [Lutz-Freyermuth et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,87:6393–6397 (1990)].

In an embodiment herein, USP-25 protein family members and USP-25proteins from other organisms are cloned and expressed as outlinedbelow. Thus, probe or degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primersequences may be used to find other related USP-25 proteins from humansor other organisms. As will be appreciated by those in the art,particularly useful probe and/or PCR primer sequences include the uniqueareas of the USP-25 nucleic acid sequence. As is generally known in theart, preferred PCR primers are from about 15 to about 35 nucleotides inlength, with from about 20 to about 30 being preferred, and may containinosine as needed. The conditions for the PCR reaction are well known inthe art. It is therefore also understood that provided along with thesequences in the sequences listed herein are portions of thosesequences, wherein unique portions of 15 nucleotides or more areparticularly preferred. The skilled artisan can routinely synthesize orcut a nucleotide sequence to the desired length.

Once isolated from its natural source, e.g., contained within a plasmidor other vector or excised therefrom as a linear nucleic acid segment,the recombinant USP-25 nucleic acid can be further-used as a probe toidentify and isolate other USP-25 nucleic acids. It can also be used asa “precursor” nucleic acid to make modified or variant USP-25 nucleicacids and proteins.

Using the nucleic acids of the present invention which encode a USP-25protein, a variety of expression vectors are made. The expressionvectors may be either self-replicating extrachromosomal vectors orvectors which integrate into a host genome. Generally, these expressionvectors include transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleicacid operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the USP-25 protein.The term “control sequences” refers to DNA sequences necessary for theexpression of an operably linked coding sequence in a particular hostorganism. The control sequences that are suitable for prokaryotes, forexample, include a promoter, optionally an operator sequence, and aribosome binding site. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters,polyadenylation signals, and enhancers.

Nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functionalrelationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA for apresequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for apolypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in thesecretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linkedto a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; ora ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it ispositioned so as to facilitate translation. As another example, operablylinked refers to DNA sequences linked so as to be contiguous, and, inthe case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase.However, enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplishedby ligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist,the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordancewith conventional practice. The transcriptional and translationalregulatory nucleic acid will generally be appropriate to the host cellused to express the USP-25 protein; for example, transcriptional andtranslational regulatory nucleic acid sequences from Bacillus arepreferably used to express the USP-25 protein in Bacillus. Numeroustypes of appropriate expression vectors, and suitable regulatorysequences are known in the art for a variety of host cells.

In general, the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequencesmay include, but are not limited to, promoter sequences, ribosomalbinding sites, transcriptional start and stop sequences, translationalstart and stop sequences, and enhancer or activator sequences. In apreferred embodiment, the regulatory sequences include a promoter andtranscriptional start and stop sequences.

Promoter sequences encode either constitutive or inducible promoters.The promoters may be either naturally occurring promoters or hybridpromoters. Hybrid promoters, which combine elements of more than onepromoter, are also known in the art, and are useful in the presentinvention.

In addition, the expression vector may comprise additional elements. Forexample, the expression vector may have two replication systems, thusallowing it to be maintained in two organisms, for example in mammalianor insect cells for expression and in a prokaryotic host for cloning andamplification. Furthermore, for integrating expression vectors, theexpression vector contains at least one sequence homologous to the hostcell genome, and preferably two homologous sequences which flank theexpression construct. The integrating vector may be directed to aspecific locus in the host cell by selecting the appropriate homologoussequence for inclusion in the vector. Constructs for integrating vectorsare well known in the art.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the expression vector contains aselectable marker gene to allow the selection of transformed host cells.Selection genes are well known in the art and will vary with the hostcell used.

A preferred expression vector system is a retroviral vector system suchas is generally described in PCT/US97/01019 and PCT/US97/01048, both ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

USP-25 proteins of the present invention are produced by culturing ahost cell transformed with an expression vector containing USP-25nucleic acid encoding a USP-25 protein, under the appropriate conditionsto induce or cause expression of the USP-25 protein. The conditionsappropriate for USP-25 protein expression will vary with the choice ofthe expression vector and the host cell, and will be easily ascertainedby one skilled in the art through routine experimentation. For example,the use of constitutive promoters in the expression vector will requireoptimizing the growth and proliferation of the host cell, while the useof an inducible promoter requires the appropriate growth conditions forinduction. In addition, in some embodiments, the timing of the harvestis important. For example, the baculoviral systems used in insect cellexpression are lytic viruses, and thus harvest time selection can becrucial for product yield.

Appropriate host cells include yeast, bacteria, archebacteria, fungi,and insect and animal cells, including mammalian cells. Of particularinterest are Drosophila melangaster cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae andother yeasts, E coli, Bacillus subtilis, SF9 cells, C129 cells, 293cells, Neurospora, BHK, CHO, COS, and HeLa cells, fibroblasts, Schwanomacell lines, immortalized mammalian myeloid and lymphoid cell lines.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 proteins are expressed inmammalian cells. Mammalian expression systems are also known in the art,and include retroviral systems. A mammalian promoter is any DNA sequencecapable of binding mammalian RNA polymerase and initiating thedownstream (3′) transcription of a coding sequence for USP-25 proteininto mRNA. A promoter will have a transcription initiating region, whichis usually placed proximal to the 5′ end of the coding sequence, and aTATA box, using a located 25–30 base pairs upstream of the transcriptioninitiation site. The TATA box is thought to direct RNA polymerase 11 tobegin RNA synthesis at the correct site. A mammalian promoter will alsocontain an upstream promoter element (enhancer element), typicallylocated within 100 to 200 base pairs upstream of the TATA box. Anupstream promoter element determines the rate at which transcription isinitiated and can act in either orientation. Of particular use asmammalian promoters are the promoters from mammalian viral genes, sincethe viral genes are often highly expressed and have a broad host range.Examples include the SV40 early promoter, mouse mammary tumor virus LTRpromoter, adenovirus major late promoter, herpes simplex virus promoter,and the CMV promoter.

Typically, transcription termination and polyadenylation sequencesrecognized by mammalian cells are regulatory regions located 3′ to thetranslation stop codon and thus, together with the promoter elements,flank the coding sequence. The 3′ terminus of the mature mRNA is formedby site-specific post-translational cleavage and polyadenylation.Examples of transcription terminator and polyadenlytion signals includethose derived form SV40.

The methods of introducing exogenous nucleic acid into mammalian hosts,as well as other hosts, are well known in the art, and will vary withthe host cell used. Techniques include dextran-mediated transfection,calcium phosphate precipitation, polybrene mediated transfection,protoplast fusion, electroporation, viral infection, encapsulation ofthe polynucleotide(s) in liposomes, and direct microinjection of the DNAinto nuclei.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins are expressed in bacterialsystems. Bacterial expression systems are well known in the art.

A suitable bacterial promoter is any nucleic acid sequence capable ofbinding bacterial RNA polymerase and initiating the downstream (3′)transcription of the coding sequence of USP-25 protein into mRNA. Abacterial promoter has a transcription initiation region which isusually placed proximal to the 5′ end of the coding sequence. Thistranscription initiation region typically includes an RNA polymerasebinding site and a transcription initiation site. Sequences encodingmetabolic pathway enzymes provide particularly useful promotersequences. Examples include promoter sequences derived from sugarmetabolizing enzymes, such as galactose, lactose and maltose, andsequences derived from biosynthetic enzymes such as tryptophan.Promoters from bacteriophage may also be used and are known in the art.In addition, synthetic promoters and hybrid promoters are also useful;for example, the tac promoter is a hybrid of the trp and lac promotersequences. Furthermore, a bacterial promoter can include naturallyoccurring promoters of non-bacterial origin that have the ability tobind bacterial RNA polymerase and initiate transcription.

In addition to a functioning promoter sequence, an efficient ribosomebinding site is desirable. In E. coli, the ribosome binding site iscalled the Shine-Delgarno (SD) sequence and includes an initiation codonand a sequence 3–9 nucleotides in length located 3–11 nucleotidesupstream of the initiation codon.

The expression vector may also include a signal peptide sequence thatprovides for secretion of the USP-25 protein in bacteria. The signalsequence typically encodes a signal peptide comprised of hydrophobicamino acids which direct the secretion of the protein from the cell, asis well known in the art. The protein is either secreted into the growthmedia (gram-positive bacteria) or into the periplasmic space, locatedbetween the inner and outer membrane of the cell (gram-negativebacteria).

The bacterial expression vector may also include a selectable markergene to allow for the selection of bacterial strains that have beentransformed. Suitable selection genes include genes which render thebacteria resistant to drugs such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol,erythromycin, kanamycin, neomycin and tetracycline. Selectable markersalso include biosynthetic genes, such as those in the histidine,tryptophan and leucine biosynthetic pathways.

These components are assembled into expression vectors. Expressionvectors for bacteria are well known in the art, and include vectors forBacillus subtilis, E. coli, Streptococcus cremoris, and Streptococcuslividans, among others.

The bacterial expression vectors are transformed into bacterial hostcells using techniques well known in the art, such as calcium chloridetreatment, electroporation, and others.

In one embodiment, USP-25 proteins are produced in insect cells.Expression vectors for the transformation of insect cells, and inparticular, baculovirus-based expression vectors, are well known in theart.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 protein is produced in yeast cells.Yeast expression systems are well known in the art, and includeexpression vectors for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans and C.maltosa, Hansenula polymorpha, Kluyveromyces fragilis and K. lactis,Pichia guillerimondii and P. pastoris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, andYarrowia lipolytica. Preferred promoter sequences for expression inyeast include the inducible GAL1,10 promoter, the promoters from alcoholdehydrogenase, enolase, glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase,glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase, hexokinase,phosphofructokinase, 3-phosphoglycerate mutase, pyruvate kinase, and theacid phosphatase gene. Yeast selectable markers include ADE2, HIS4,LEU2, TRP1, and ALG7, which confers resistance to tunicamycin; theneomycin phosphotransferase gene, which confers resistance to G418; andthe CUP1 gene, which allows yeast to grow in the presence of copperions.

The USP-25 protein may also be made as a fusion protein, usingtechniques well known in the art. Thus, for example, for the creation ofmonoclonal antibodies, if the desired epitope is small, the USP-25protein may be fused to a carrier protein to form an immunogen.Alternatively, the USP-25 protein may be made as a fusion protein toincrease expression, or for other reasons. For example, when the USP-25protein is a USP-25 peptide, the nucleic acid encoding the peptide maybe linked to other nucleic acid for expression purposes. Similarly,USP-25 proteins of the invention can be linked to protein labels, suchas green fluorescent protein (GFP), red fluorescent protein (RFP), bluefluorescent protein (BFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), etc.

In one embodiment, the USP-25 nucleic acids, proteins and antibodies ofthe invention are labeled. By “labeled” herein is meant that a compoundhas at least one element, isotope or chemical compound attached toenable the detection of the compound. In general, labels fall into threeclasses: a) isotopic labels, which may be radioactive or heavy isotopes;b) immune labels, which may be antibodies or antigens; and c) colored orfluorescent dyes. The labels may be incorporated into the compound atany position.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein is purified or isolatedafter expression. USP-25 proteins may be isolated or purified in avariety of ways known to those skilled in the art depending on whatother components are present in the sample. Standard purificationmethods include electrophoretic, molecular, immunological andchromatographic techniques, including ion exchange, hydrophobic,affinity, and reverse-phase HPLC chromatography, and chromatofocusing.For example, the USP-25 protein may be purified using a standardanti-USP-25 antibody column. Ultrafiltration and diafiltrationtechniques, in conjunction with protein concentration, are also useful.For general guidance in suitable purification techniques, see Scopes,R., Protein Purification, Springer-Verlag, NY (1982). The degree ofpurification necessary will vary depending on the use of the USP-25protein. In some instances no purification will be necessary.

Once expressed and purified if necessary, the USP-25 proteins andnucleic acids are useful in a number of applications.

The nucleotide sequences (or their complement) encoding USP-25 proteinshave various applications in the art of molecular biology, includinguses as hybridization probes, in chromosome and gene mapping and in thegeneration of anti-sense RNA and DNA. USP-25 protein nucleic acid willalso be useful for the preparation of USP-25 proteins by the recombinanttechniques described herein.

The full-length native sequence USP-25 protein gene, or portionsthereof, may be used as hybridization probes for a cDNA library toisolate other genes (for instance, those encoding naturally-occurringvariants of USP-25 protein or USP-25 protein from other species) whichhave a desired sequence identity to the USP-25 protein coding sequence.Optionally, the length of the probes will be about 20 to about 50 bases.The hybridization probes may be derived from the nucleotide sequencesherein or from genomic sequences including promoters, enhancer elementsand introns of native sequences as provided herein. By way of example, ascreening method will comprise isolating the coding region of the USP-25protein gene using the known DNA sequence to synthesize a selected probeof about 40 bases. Hybridization probes may be labeled by a variety oflabels, including radionucleotides such as ³²P or ³⁵S, or enzymaticlabels such as alkaline phosphatase coupled to the probe viaavidin/biotin coupling systems. Labeled probes having a sequencecomplementary to that of the USP-25 protein gene of the presentinvention can be used to screen libraries of human cDNA, genomic DNA ormRNA to determine which members of such libraries the probe hybridizes.

Nucleotide sequences encoding a USP-25 protein can also be used toconstruct hybridization probes for mapping the gene which encodes thatUSP-25 protein and for the genetic analysis of individuals with geneticdisorders. The nucleotide sequences provided herein may be mapped to achromosome and specific regions of a chromosome using known techniques,such as in situ hybridization, linkage analysis against knownchromosomal markers, and hybridization screening with libraries.

Nucleic acids which encode USP-25 protein or its modified forms can alsobe used to generate either transgenic animals or “knock out” animalswhich, in turn, are useful in the development and screening oftherapeutically useful reagents. A transgenic animal (e.g., a mouse orrat) is an animal having cells that contain a transgene, which transgenewas introduced into the animal or an ancestor of the animal at aprenatal, e.g., an embryonic stage. A transgene is a DNA which isintegrated into the genome of a cell from which a transgenic animaldevelops. In one embodiment, cDNA encoding a USP-25 protein can be usedto clone genomic DNA encoding a USP-25 protein in accordance withestablished techniques and the genomic sequences used to generatetransgenic animals that contain cells which express the desired DNA.Methods for generating transgenic animals, particularly animals such asmice or rats, have become conventional in the art and are described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,736,866 and 4,870,009. Typically,particular cells would be targeted for the USP-25 protein transgeneincorporation with tissue-specific enhancers. Transgenic animals thatinclude a copy of a transgene encoding a USP-25 protein introduced intothe germ line of the animal at an embryonic stage can be used to examinethe effect of increased expression of the desired nucleic acid. Suchanimals can be used as tester animals for reagents thought to conferprotection from, for example, pathological conditions associated withits overexpression. In accordance with this facet of the invention, ananimal is treated with the reagent and a reduced incidence of thepathological condition, compared to untreated animals bearing thetransgene, would indicate a potential therapeutic intervention for thepathological condition.

Alternatively, non-human homologues of the USP-25 protein can be used toconstruct a USP-25 protein “knock out” animal which has a defective oraltered gene encoding a USP-25 protein as a result of homologousrecombination between the endogenous gene encoding a USP-25 protein andaltered genomic DNA encoding a USP-25 protein introduced into anembryonic cell of the animal. For example, cDNA encoding a USP-25protein can be used to clone genomic DNA encoding a USP-25 protein inaccordance with established techniques. A portion of the genomic DNAencoding a USP-25 protein can be deleted or replaced with another gene,such as a gene encoding a selectable marker which can be used to monitorintegration. Typically, several kilobases of unaltered flanking DNA(both at the 5′ and 3′ ends) are included in the vector [see e.g.,Thomas and Capecchi, Cell, 51:503 (1987) for a description of homologousrecombination vectors]. The vector is introduced into an embryonic stemcell line (e.g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introducedDNA has homologously recombined with the endogenous DNA are selected[see e.g., Li et al., Cell, 69:915 (1992)]. The selected cells are theninjected into a blastocyst of an animal (e.g., a mouse or rat) to formaggregation chimeras [see e.g., Bradley, in Teratocarcinomas andEmbryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, E. J. Robertson, ed. (IRL,Oxford, 1987), pp. 113–152]. A chimeric embryo can then be implantedinto a suitable pseudopregnant female foster animal and the embryobrought to term to create a “knock out” animal. Progeny harboring thehomologously recombined DNA in their germ cells can be identified bystandard techniques and used to breed animals in which all cells of theanimal contain the homologously recombined DNA. Knockout animals can becharacterized for instance, for their ability to defend against certainpathological conditions and for their development of pathologicalconditions due to absence of the USP-25 protein.

It is understood that the models described herein can be varied. Forexample, “knock-in” models can be formed, or the models can becell-based rather than animal models.

Nucleic acid encoding the USP-25 polypeptides, antagonists or agonistsmay also be used in gene therapy. In gene therapy applications, genesare introduced into cells in order to achieve in vivo synthesis of atherapeutically effective genetic product, for example for replacementof a defective gene. “Gene therapy” includes both conventional genetherapy where a lasting effect is achieved by a single treatment, andthe administration of gene therapeutic agents, which involves the onetime or repeated administration of a therapeutically effective DNA ormRNA. Antisense RNAs and DNAs can be used as therapeutic agents forblocking the expression of certain genes in vivo. It has already beenshown that short antisense oligonucleotides can be imported into cellswhere they act as inhibitors, despite their low intracellularconcentrations caused by their restricted uptake by the cell membrane.(Zamecnik et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 4143–4146 [1986]). Theoligonucleotides can be modified to enhance their uptake, e.g. bysubstituting their negatively charged phosphodiester groups by unchargedgroups.

There are a variety of techniques available for introducing nucleicacids into viable cells. The techniques vary depending upon whether thenucleic acid is transferred into cultured cells in vitro, or in vivo inthe cells of the intended host. Techniques suitable for the transfer ofnucleic acid into mammalian cells in vitro include the use of liposomes,electroporation, microinjection, cell fusion, DEAE-dextran, the calciumphosphate precipitation method, etc. The currently preferred in vivogene transfer techniques include transfection with viral (typicallyretroviral) vectors and viral coat protein-liposome mediatedtransfection (Dzau et al., Trends in Biotechnology 11, 205–210 [1993]).In some situations it is desirable to provide the nucleic acid sourcewith an agent that targets the target cells, such as an antibodyspecific for a cell surface membrane protein or the target cell, aligand for a receptor on the target cell, etc. Where liposomes areemployed, proteins which bind to a cell surface membrane proteinassociated with endocytosis may be used for targeting and/or tofacilitate uptake, e.g. capsid proteins or fragments thereof tropic fora particular cell type, antibodies for proteins which undergointernalization in cycling, proteins that target intracellularlocalization and enhance intracellular half-life. The technique ofreceptor-mediated endocytosis is described, for example, by Wu et al.,J. Biol. Chem. 262, 4429–4432 (1987); and Wagner et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 87, 3410–3414 (1990). For review of gene marking and genetherapy protocols see Anderson et al., Science 256, 808–813 (1992).

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 proteins, nucleic acids, variants,modified proteins, cells and/or transgenics containing the said nucleicacids or proteins are used in screening assays. Identification of theUSP-25 proteins provided herein permits the design of drug screeningassays for compounds that bind USP-25 proteins, interfere with USP-25protein binding, modulate USP-25 activity, and modulate lymphocyteactivation, CD40L expression, Nf-kB activation and inflammation.

The assays described herein preferably utilize the human USP-25 protein,although other mammalian proteins may also be used, including rodents(mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.), farm animals (cows, sheep,pigs, horses, etc.) and primates. These latter embodiments may bepreferred in the development of animal models of human disease. In someembodiments, as outlined herein, truncated USP-25 proteins may be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise combining a USP-25protein and a candidate bioactive agent, and determining the binding ofthe candidate agent to the USP-25 protein. In other embodiments, furtherdiscussed below, binding interference or bioactivity is determined.

The term “candidate bioactive agent” or “exogeneous compound” as usedherein describes any molecule, e.g., protein, small organic molecule,carbohydrates (including polysaccharides), polynucleotide, lipids, etc.Generally a plurality of assay mixtures are run in parallel withdifferent agent concentrations to obtain a differential response to thevarious concentrations. Typically, one of these concentrations serves asa negative control, i.e., at zero concentration or below the level ofdetection. In addition, positive controls, i.e. the use of agents knownto bind USP-25 protein, may be used. In a preferred embodiment, SYK isused as a positive control for binding to USP-25.

Candidate agents encompass numerous chemical classes, though typicallythey are organic molecules, preferably small organic compounds having amolecular weight of more than 100 and less than about 2,500 daltons,more preferably between 100 and 2000, more preferably between about 100and about 1250, more preferably between about 100 and about 1000, morepreferably between about 100 and about 750, more preferably betweenabout 200 and about 500 daltons. Candidate agents comprise functionalgroups necessary for structural interaction with proteins, particularlyhydrogen bonding, and typically include at least an amine, carbonyl,hydroxyl or carboxyl group, preferably at least two of the functionalchemical groups. The candidate agents often comprise cyclical carbon orheterocyclic structures and/or aromatic or polyaromatic structuressubstituted with one or more of the above functional groups. Candidateagents are also found among biomolecules including peptides,saccharides, fatty acids, steroids, purines, pyrimidines, derivatives,structural analogs or combinations thereof. Particularly preferred arepeptides.

Candidate agents are obtained from a wide variety of sources includinglibraries of synthetic or natural compounds. For example, numerous meansare available for random and directed synthesis of a wide variety oforganic compounds and biomolecules, including expression of randomizedoligonucleotides. Alternatively, libraries of natural compounds in theform of bacterial, fungal, plant and animal extracts are available orreadily produced. Additionally, natural or synthetically producedlibraries and compounds are readily modified through conventionalchemical, physical and biochemical means. Known pharmacological agentsmay be subjected to directed or random chemical modifications, such asacylation, alkylation, esterification, amidification to producestructural analogs.

In a preferred embodiment, a library of different candidate bioactiveagents are used. Preferably, the library should provide a sufficientlystructurally diverse population of randomized agents to effect aprobabilistically sufficient range of diversity to allow binding to aparticular target. Accordingly, an interaction library should be largeenough so that at least one of its members will have a structure thatgives it affinity for the target. Although it is difficult to gauge therequired absolute size of an interaction library, nature provides a hintwith the immune response: a diversity of 10⁷–10⁸ different antibodiesprovides at least one combination with sufficient affinity to interactwith most potential antigens faced by an organism. Published in vitroselection techniques have also shown that a library size of 10⁷ to 10⁸is sufficient to find structures with affinity for the target. A libraryof all combinations of a peptide 7 to 20 amino acids in length, such asgenerally proposed herein, has the potential to code for 20⁷ (10⁹) to20²⁰. Thus, with libraries of 10⁷ to 10⁸ different molecules the presentmethods allow a “working” subset of a theoretically complete interactionlibrary for 7 amino acids, and a subset of shapes for the 20²⁰ library.Thus, in a preferred embodiment, at least 10⁶, preferably at least 10⁷,more preferably at least 10⁸ and most preferably at least 10⁹ differentsequences are simultaneously analyzed in the subject methods. Preferredmethods maximize library size and diversity.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are proteins.By “protein” herein is meant at least two covalently attached aminoacids, which includes proteins, polypeptides, oligopeptides andpeptides. The protein may be made up of naturally occurring amino acidsand peptide bonds, or synthetic peptidomimetic structures. Thus “aminoacid”, or “peptide residue”, as used herein means both naturallyoccurring and synthetic amino acids. For example, homo-phenylalanine,citrulline and noreleucine are considered amino acids for the purposesof the invention. “Amino acid” also includes imino acid residues such asproline and hydroxyproline. The side chains may be in either the (R) orthe (S) configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the amino acids arein the (S) or L-configuration. If non-naturally occurring side chainsare used, non-amino acid substituents may be used, for example toprevent or retard in vivo degradations. Chemical blocking groups orother chemical substituents may also be added.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are naturallyoccurring proteins or fragments of naturally occurring proteins. Thus,for example, cellular extracts containing proteins, or random ordirected digests of proteinaceous cellular extracts, may be used. Inthis way libraries of procaryotic and eukaryotic proteins may be madefor screening in the systems described herein. Particularly preferred inthis embodiment are libraries of bacterial, fungal, viral, and mammalianproteins, with the latter being preferred, and human proteins beingespecially preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are peptidesof from about 5 to about 30 amino acids, with from about 5 to about 20amino acids being preferred, and from about 7 to about 15 beingparticularly preferred, and 12 and 18 amino acids being most preferred.The peptides may be digests of naturally occurring proteins as isoutlined above, random peptides, or “biased” random peptides. By“randomized” or grammatical equivalents herein is meant that eachnucleic acid and peptide consists of essentially random nucleotides andamino acids, respectively. Since generally these random peptides (ornucleic acids, discussed below) are chemically synthesized, they mayincorporate any nucleotide or amino acid at any position. The syntheticprocess can be designed to generate randomized proteins or nucleicacids, to allow the formation of all or most of the possiblecombinations over the length of the sequence, thus forming a library ofrandomized candidate bioactive proteinaceous agents.

In one embodiment, the library is fully randomized, with no sequencepreferences or constants at any position. In a preferred embodiment, thelibrary is biased. That is, some positions within the sequence areeither held constant, or are selected from a limited number ofpossibilities. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the nucleotidesor amino acid residues are randomized within a defined class, forexample, of hydrophobic amino acids, hydrophilic residues, stericallybiased (either small or large) residues, towards the creation ofcysteines, for cross-linking, prolines for SH-3 domains, serines,threonines, tyrosines or histidines for phosphorylation sites, etc., orto purines, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are nucleicacids. By “nucleic acid” or “oligonucleotide” or grammatical equivalentsherein means at least two nucleotides covalently linked together. Anucleic acid of the present invention will generally containphosphodiester bonds, although in some cases, as outlined below, nucleicacid analogs are included that may have alternate backbones, comprising,for example, phosphoramide (Beaucage, et al., Tetrahedron, 49(10):1925(1993) and references therein; Letsinger, J. Org. Chem., 35:3800 (1970);Sprinzl, et al, Eur. J. Biochem., 81:579 (1977); Letsinger, et al.,Nucl. Acids Res., 14:3487 (1986); Sawai, et al., Chem. Lett., 805(1984), Letsinger, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988); andPauwels, et al., Chemica Scripta, 26:141 (1986)), phosphorothioate (Mag,et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 19:1437 (1991); and U.S. Pat. No.5,644,048), phosphorodithioate (Briu, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.,111:2321 (1989)), O-methylphophoroamidite linkages (see Eckstein,Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, Oxford UniversityPress), and peptide nucleic acid backbones and linkages (see Egholm, J.Am. Chem. Soc., 114:1895 (1992); Meier, et al., Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.,31:1008 (1992); Nielsen, Nature, 365:566 (1993); Carlsson, et al.,Nature, 380:207 (1996), all of which are incorporated by reference)).Other analog nucleic acids include those with positive backbones(Denpcy, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:6097 (1995)); non-ionicbackbones (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,386,023; 5,637,684; 5,602,240; 5,216,141;and 4,469,863; Kiedrowshi, et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. English,30:423 (1991); Letsinger, et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 110:4470 (1988);Letsinger, et al., Nucleoside & Nucleotide, 13:1597 (1994); Chapters 2and 3, ASC Symposium Series 580, “Carbohydrate Modifications inAntisense Research”, Ed. Y. S. Sanghui and P. Dan Cook; Mesmaeker, etal., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chem. Lett., 4:395 (1994); Jeffs, et al., J.Biomolecular NMR, 34:17 (1994); Tetrahedron Lett., 37:743 (1996)) andnon-ribose backbones, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,235,033 and 5,034,506, and Chapters 6 and 7, ASC Symposium Series 580,“Carbohydrate Modifications in Antisense Research”, Ed. Y. S. Sanghuiand P. Dan Cook. Nucleic acids containing one or more carbocyclicsugars, as well as “locked nucleic acids”, are also included within thedefinition of nucleic acids (see Jenkins, et al., Chem. Soc. Rev.,(1995) pp. 169–176). Several nucleic acid analogs are described inRawls, C & E News, Jun. 2, 1997, page 35. All of these references arehereby expressly incorporated by reference. These modifications of theribose-phosphate backbone may be done to facilitate the addition ofadditional moieties such as labels, or to increase the stability andhalf-life of such molecules in physiological environments. In addition,mixtures of naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs can be made.Alternatively, mixtures of different nucleic acid analogs, and mixturesof naturally occurring nucleic acids and analogs may be made. Thenucleic acids may be single stranded or double stranded, as specified,or contain portions of both double stranded or single stranded sequence.The nucleic acid may be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA or a hybrid,where the nucleic acid contains any combination of deoxyribo- andribo-nucleotides, and any combination of bases, including uracil,adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xathanine hypoxathanine,isocytosine, isoguanine, etc.

As described above generally for proteins, nucleic acid candidatebioactive agents may be naturally occurring nucleic acids, randomnucleic acids, or “biased” random nucleic acids. For example, digests ofprocaryotic or eukaryotic genomes may be used as is outlined above forproteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are organicchemical moieties or small molecule chemical compositions, a widevariety of which are available in the literature.

In a preferred embodiment, the candidate bioactive agents are linked toa fusion partner. By “fusion partner” or “functional group” herein ismeant a sequence that is associated with the candidate bioactive agent,that confers upon all members of the library in that class a commonfunction or ability. Fusion partners can be heterologous (i.e. notnative to the host cell), or synthetic (not native to any cell).Suitable fusion partners include, but are not limited to: a)presentation structures, which provide the candidate bioactive agents ina conformationally restricted or stable form; b) targeting sequences,which allow the localization of the candidate bioactive agent into asubcellular or extracellular compartment; c) rescue sequences whichallow the purification or isolation of either the candidate bioactiveagents or the nucleic acids encoding them; d) stability sequences, whichconfer stability or protection from degradation to the candidatebioactive agent or the nucleic acid encoding it, for example resistanceto proteolytic degradation; e) dimerization sequences, to allow forpeptide dimerization; or f) any combination of a), b), c), d), and e),as well as linker sequences as needed.

In a preferred embodiment, binding and binding interference assaysutilize N-terminus USP-25 truncation mutants. Especially preferred areUSP-25 proteins consisting essentially of amino acids 58–1055, 659–1055,or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, binding and binding interference assaysutilize full length USP-25 protein. Especially preferred is USP-25protein comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

Generally, in a preferred embodiment of the methods herein, for examplefor binding assays, the USP-25 protein or the candidate agent isnon-diffusibly bound to an insoluble support having isolated samplereceiving areas (e.g. a microtiter plate, an array, etc.). The insolublesupports may be made of any composition to which the compositions can bebound, is readily separated from soluble material, and is otherwisecompatible with the overall method of screening. The surface of suchsupports may be solid or porous and of any convenient shape. Examples ofsuitable insoluble supports include microtiter plates, arrays, membranesand beads. These are typically made of glass, plastic (e.g.,polystyrene), polysaccharides, nylon or nitrocellulose, teflon™, etc.Microtiter plates and arrays are especially convenient because a largenumber of assays can be carried out simultaneously, using small amountsof reagents and samples. In some cases magnetic beads and the like areincluded. The particular manner of binding of the composition is notcrucial so long as it is compatible with the reagents and overallmethods of the invention, maintains the activity of the composition andis nondiffusable. Preferred methods of binding include the use ofantibodies (which do not sterically block either the ligand binding siteor activation sequence when the protein is bound to the support), directbinding to “sticky” or ionic supports, chemical crosslinking, thesynthesis of the protein or agent on the surface, etc. Following bindingof the protein or agent, excess unbound material is removed by washing.The sample receiving areas may then be blocked through incubation withbovine serum albumin (BSA), casein or other innocuous protein or othermoiety. Also included in this invention are screening assays whereinsolid supports are not used; examples of such are described below.

In a preferred embodiment, the USP-25 protein is bound to the support,and a candidate bioactive agent is added to the assay. Alternatively,the candidate agent is bound to the support and the USP-25 protein isadded. Novel binding agents include specific antibodies, non-naturalbinding agents identified in screens of chemical libraries, peptideanalogs, etc. Of particular interest are screening assays for agentsthat have a low toxicity for human cells. A wide variety of assays maybe used for this purpose, including labeled in vitro protein-proteinbinding assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, immunoassays forprotein binding, functional assays (phosphorylation assays, etc.) andthe like.

The determination of the binding of the candidate bioactive agent to theUSP-25 protein may be done in a number of ways. In a preferredembodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is labelled, and bindingdetermined directly. For example, this may be done by attaching all or aportion of the USP-25 protein to a solid support, adding a labelledcandidate agent (for example a fluorescent label), washing off excessreagent, and determining whether the label is present on the solidsupport. Various blocking and washing steps may be utilized as is knownin the art.

By “labeled” herein is meant that the compound is either directly orindirectly labeled with a label which provides a detectable signal, e.g.radioisotope, fluorescers, enzyme, antibodies, particles such asmagnetic particles, chemiluminescers, or specific binding molecules,etc. Specific binding molecules include pairs, such as biotin andstreptavidin, digoxin and antidigoxin etc. For the specific bindingmembers, the complementary member would normally be labeled with amolecule which provides for detection, in accordance with knownprocedures, as outlined above. The label can directly or indirectlyprovide a detectable signal.

In some embodiments, only one of the components is labeled. For example,the proteins (or proteinaceous candidate agents) may be labeled attyrosine positions using ¹²⁵I, or with fluorophores. Alternatively, morethan one component may be labeled with different labels; using ¹²⁵I forthe proteins, for example, and a fluorophor for the candidate agents.

In a preferred embodiment, the binding of the candidate bioactive agentis determined through the use of competitive binding assays. In thisembodiment, the competitor is a binding moiety known to bind to thetarget molecule (i.e. USP-25 protein), such as an antibody, peptide,binding partner, ligand, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the competitoris SYK, UBC9 or calcineurin protein. In another embodiment, thecompetitor is SYK, UBC9 or calcineurin protein conjugated to ubiquitinor ubiquitin-like protein. Under certain circumstances, there may becompetitive binding as between the bioactive agent and the bindingmoiety, with the binding moiety displacing the bioactive agent. Thisassay can be used to determine candidate agents which interfere withbinding between USP-25 proteins and IkB, SYK, UBC9, or calcineurinprotein. “Interference of binding” as used herein means that nativebinding of the USP-25 protein differs in the presence of the candidateagent. The binding can be eliminated or can be with a reduced affinity.Therefore, in one embodiment, interference is caused by, for example, aconformational change, rather than direct competition for the nativebinding site.

In one embodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is labeled. Either thecandidate bioactive agent, or the competitor, or both, is added first tothe protein for a time sufficient to allow binding, if present.Incubations may be performed at any temperature which facilitatesoptimal activity, typically between 4° C. and 40° C. Incubation periodsare selected for optimum activity, but may also be optimized tofacilitate rapid high through put screening. Typically between 0.1 and 1hour will be sufficient. Excess reagent is generally removed or washedaway. The second component is then added, and the presence or absence ofthe labeled component is followed, to indicate binding.

In a preferred embodiment, the competitor is added first, followed bythe candidate bioactive agent. Displacement of the competitor is anindication that the candidate bioactive agent is binding to the USP-25protein and thus is capable of binding to, and potentially modulating,the activity of the USP-25 protein. In this embodiment, either componentcan be labeled. Thus, for example, if the competitor is labeled, thepresence of label in the wash solution indicates displacement by theagent. Alternatively, if the candidate bioactive agent is labeled, thepresence of the label on the support indicates displacement.

In an alternative embodiment, the candidate bioactive agent is addedfirst, with incubation and washing, followed by the competitor. Theabsence of binding by the competitor may indicate that the bioactiveagent is bound to the USP-25 protein with a higher affinity. Thus, ifthe candidate bioactive agent is labeled, the presence of the label onthe support, coupled with a lack of competitor binding, may indicatethat the candidate agent is capable of binding to the USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise differential screeningto identity bioactive agents that are capable of modulating the activityof the USP-25 proteins. Such assays can be done with the USP-25 proteinor cells comprising USP-25 protein. USP-25 protein may be recombinantUSP-25 protein produced and collected as described herein, or may be acell lysate from a cell comprising a USP-25 protein or a recombinantUSP-25 protein. In one embodiment, the methods comprise combining anUSP-25 protein and a competitor in a first sample. A second samplecomprises a candidate bioactive agent, an USP-25 protein and acompetitor. The binding of the competitor is determined for bothsamples, and a change, or difference in binding between the two samplesindicates the presence of an agent capable of binding to the USP-25protein and modulating its activity. That is, if the binding of thecompetitor is different in the second sample relative to the firstsample, the agent is capable of binding to the USP-25 protein andmodulating its activity.

Alternatively, a preferred embodiment utilizes differential screening toidentify drug candidates that bind to the native USP-25 protein, butcannot bind to modified USP-25 proteins. The structure of the USP-25protein may be modeled, and used in rational drug design to synthesizeagents that interact with that site. Drug candidates that affect USP-25bioactivity are also identified by screening drugs for the ability toeither enhance or reduce the activity of the protein. In a preferredembodiment, drugs are screened for their ability to inhibit wildtypeUSP-25 activity in a manner similar to the dominant negative effects ofa C→S or C→M catalytically dead USP-25 variant protein, or N-terminustruncation USP-25 mutant proteins, as described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for theirability to bind to a USP-25 protein possessing ubiquitin specificprotease activity or ubiquitin-like protein specific protease activityand their inability to bind to a USP-25 variant lacking such activity.

In a preferred embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for theirability to bind to a USP-25 variant lacking ubiquitin-specific proteaseactivity or ubiquitin-like protein specific protease activity and theirinability to bind to a USP-25 protein possessing such activity.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is capable of binding to a USP-25 bindingpartner and their inability to bind to a USP-25 protein that is notcapable of such binding.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is not capable of binding to a USP-25binding partner and their inability to bind to a USP-25 protein that iscapable of such binding.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is capable of removing ubiquitin fromubiquitin-conjugated target protein, and their inability to bind to aUSP-25 protein that is not capable of removing ubiquitin fromubiquitin-conjugated target protein.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is not capable of removing ubiquitin fromubiquitin-conjugated target protein, and their inability to bind to aUSP-25 protein that is capable of removing ubiquitin fromubiquitin-conjugated target protein.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is capable of removing ubiquitin-likeprotein from conjugated target protein, and their inability to bind to aUSP-25 protein that is not capable of such removal.

In another embodiment, candidate drugs are screened for their ability tobind to a USP-25 protein that is not capable of removing ubiquitin-likeprotein from conjugated target protein, and their inability to bind to aUSP-25 protein that is capable of such removal.

Positive controls and negative controls may be used in the assays.Preferably all control and test samples are performed in at leasttriplicate to obtain statistically significant results. Incubation ofall samples is for a time sufficient for the binding of the agent to theprotein. Following incubation, all samples are washed free ofnon-specifically bound material and the amount of bound, generallylabeled agent determined. For example, where a radiolabel is employed,the samples may be counted in a scintillation counter to determine theamount of bound compound.

A variety of other reagents may be included in the screening assays.These include reagents like salts, neutral proteins, e.g. albumin,detergents, etc which may be used to facilitate optimal protein-proteinbinding and/or reduce non-specific or background interactions. Alsoreagents that otherwise improve the efficiency of the assay, such asprotease inhibitors, nuclease inhibitors, anti-microbial agents, etc.,may be used. The mixture of components may be added in any order thatprovides for the requisite binding.

Screening for agents that modulate the activity of a USP-25 protein mayalso be done. In a preferred embodiment, methods for screening for abioactive agent capable of modulating the activity of a USP-25 proteincomprise the steps of adding a candidate bioactive agent to a sample ofa USP-25 protein (or a cell comprising a USP-25 protein) and determiningan alteration in the biological activity of the USP-25 protein. A sampleof a USP-25 protein may be obtained by recombinantly producing andcollecting USP-25 protein, as described herein, or by obtaining a celllysate from a cell comprising a USP-25 protein or a recombinant USP-25protein by means known in the art. “Modulating the activity of a USP-25protein” includes an increase in activity, a decrease in activity, or achange in the type or kind of activity present. Thus, in thisembodiment, the candidate agent may bind to a USP-25 protein (althoughthis may not be necessary), and should alter its biological orbiochemical activity as defined herein. The methods include both invitro screening methods, as are generally outlined above, and in vivoscreening of cells for alterations in the presence, cellulardistribution, subcellular distribution, activity or amount of USP-25protein. In vitro assays may be performed using cell lysates followingin vivo manipulations involved in screens.

By “USP-25 protein activity” or grammatical equivalents herein is meantat least one of the USP-25 protein's biological activities, including,but not limited to, modulation of leukocyte activation; modulation ofplatelet activation; modulation of lymphocyte activation; modulation ofB lymphocyte activation by BCR stimulation; modulation of T lymphocyteactivation by TCR stimulation; modulation of mast cell activation bystimulation of surface IgE; modulation of B cell differentiation;modulation of lymphocyte proliferation; modulation of IgM, IgG inductionin B lymphocytes; modulation of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene promoteractivity in lymphocytes; modulation of NFAT gene promoter activity inlymphocytes; modulation of immunoglobulin secretion by B lymphocytes;modulation of cytokine production in leukocytes; modulation of surfaceprotein expression including CD23, CD69, CD80 and CD 86 in lymphocytes;modulation of CD40L expression in primary T lymphocytes; modulation ofNf-kB activity; modulation of IL-2 expression in primary T lymphocytes;binding to SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin; binding to ubiquitinated SYK, UBC9and calcineurin; binding to SYK, UBC9, calcineurin and IkB proteinconjugated to ubiquitin-like protein; ubiquitin-specific peptidaseactivity; ubiquitin-like protein specific peptidase activity; modulationof SYK, UBC9 and calcineurin activity; modulation of SYK, UBC9 andcalcineurin protein levels.

In a preferred embodiment, the activity of the USP-25 protein isdecreased; in another preferred embodiment, the activity of the USP-25protein is increased. Thus, bioactive agents that are antagonists arepreferred in some embodiments, and bioactive agents that are agonistsare preferred in other embodiments.

Screening for agents that modulate B cell activation and T cellactivation may also be done.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining the abilityof a candidate bioactive agent to modulate ubiquitin-specific peptidaseactivity of USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting a decrease inubiquitin-specific peptidase activity in the presence of candidatebioactive agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods consist essentiallyof a protease domain, or a ubiquitin-associated domain and a proteasedomain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins usedconsist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 or 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate bioactive agent to modulate ubiquitin-likeprotein-specific peptidase activity of USP-25 protein. In a preferredembodiment, the ubiquitin-like protein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD/Ruby.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting a decrease inubiquitin-like protein-specific peptidase activity in the presence ofcandidate bioactive agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods consist essentiallyof a protease domain, or a ubiquitin-associated domain and a proteasedomain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteins usedconsist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth by residues1–658 or 58–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate agent to bind to USP-25.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting binding ofcandidate agent to USP-25 protein, contacting the candidate bioactiveagent to a lymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in thepresence of said candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyteactivation in the presence and absence of candidate agent is determined.In another aspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activationis used. Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, andoptionally, the absence, of candidate agent following contact with theagent that normally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferredactivation agent for use with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. Apreferred activation agent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e.anti-TCR antibody. In another embodiment, lymphocyte activation isinduced using a phorbol ester, such as PMA, in combination with acalcium ionophore, such as ionomycin. In another preferred embodiment,costimulation of CD3/CD28 in primary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods lack aubiquitin-associated domain or lack a ubiquitin-associated domain and aprotease domain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteinsused consist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 58–1055, 659–1055, or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods comprise determining theability of a candidate agent to inhibit the binding of USP-25 to aUSP-25 binding partner.

In a preferred embodiment, the methods comprise detecting modulation ofbinding of USP-25 protein to USP-25 binding partner in the presence ofcandidate agent, contacting the candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte, and determining lymphocyte activation in the presence ofsaid candidate agent. In another aspect, lymphocyte activation in thepresence and absence of candidate agent is determined. In anotheraspect, an agent that normally induces lymphocyte activation is used.Lymphocyte activation is measured in the presence, and optionally, theabsence, of candidate agent following contact with the agent thatnormally induces lymphocyte activation. A preferred activation agent foruse with B lymphocytes is anti-IgM antibody. A preferred activationagent for use with T lymphocytes is C305, i.e. anti-TCR antibody. Inanother embodiment, lymphocyte activation is induced using a phorbolester, such as PMA, in combination with a calcium ionophore, such asionomycin. In another preferred embodiment, costimulation of CD3/CD28 inprimary T cells is done.

Preferred USP-25 proteins for use in these methods lack aubiquitin-associated domain or lack a ubiquitin-associated domain and aprotease domain. In an especially preferred embodiment, USP-25 proteinsused consist essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth byresidues 58–1055, 659–1055, or 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.

In another preferred embodiment, a full length USP-25 protein comprisingthe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 is used.

Bioactive agents that inhibit lymphocyte activation in these assays areuseful as immunosuppressants.

In a preferred embodiment, a candidate bioactive agent used in theseassays is a small molecule chemical compound, from about 100 to about1500, more preferably about 100 to about 1200, more preferably about 100to about 1000 more preferably about 200 to about 500 daltons.

In a preferred embodiment, a library of candidate bioactive agents iscontacted to isolated or cell-free USP-25 protein.

In a preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation in themethods herein comprises determining the level of expression of asurface marker which is associated with activation of the lymphocyte, inthe presence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofsurface marker expression is determined in the presence and absence ofcandidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the surface marker isselected from the group consisting of CD40L, CD23, CD69, CD80 and CD86.In an especially preferred embodiment, the surface marker used is CD69or CD40L.

In another preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation inthe methods herein comprises determining the level of activity of apromoter, which activity correlates with lymphocyte activation, in thepresence of candidate agent. In a preferred embodiment, the level ofpromoter activity is determined in the presence and absence of candidateagent. In a preferred embodiment the promoter is an NFAT-responsivepromoter, such as the IL-2 promoter. In another preferred embodiment,the promoter is the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene promoter.

In a preferred embodiment, determining lymphocyte activation involvessorting lymphcoytes by FACS.

In some embodiments, the methods involve determining lymphocyteactivation. As will be appreciated, lymphocyte activation as well asnon-lymphocyte leukocyte activation and platelet activation can bedetermined in a number of ways. It will be appreciated that mechanismsof leukocyte activation and methods for determining activation are known(see for example Kay, Immunol. Invest. 17:679–705, 1988; Lukacs et. al.,Chem. Immunol. 72:102–120, 1999; Metcalf et. al., Physiol. Rev.77:1033–1079, 1997; Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. 4:1–26, 1990; Brasset. al., Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 344:17–36, 1993; Brass et. al., Thromb.Haemost., 70:217–223, 1993; Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Abbas et.al., W. B. Saunders, ISBN 0-7216-3032-4, Chapters 7, 9, 12, and 14).

In one embodiment, indicators of lymphocyte activation are used. Thereare a number of parameters that may be evaluated or assayed to determinelymphocyte activation, including, but not limited to, immunoglobulinheavy chain gene promoter activity, NFAT gene promoter activity, Igsecretion, IgG and IgM production, lymphocyte proliferation, expressioncell surface markers correlated with lymphocyte activation, cytokineproduction, release of calcium from intracellular stores, amount of SYKprotein, level of SYK protein ubiquitination, SYK protein tyrosinekinase activity, IL-2 expression, CD40L expression, and ubiquitinspecific protease activity directed to ubiquitin-conjugated SYK protein.These parameters may be assayed and used as indicators to evaluate theeffect of candidate drug agents on lymphocyte activation. In thismanner, rapid, accurate screening of candidate agents may be performedto identify agents that modulate lymphocyte activation.

In one aspect, the assays include exposing lymphocytes comprisingrecombinant USP-25 protein to a T-cell or B-cell activation agent thatwill induce T-cell or B-cell activation in the absence of candidateagent and recombinant USP-25 protein. Alternatively, the cells may beexposed to conditions that normally result in T-cell and B-cellactivation. The effect of the candidate agent on T-cell and B-cellactivation is then evaluated. Preferred activation agents includeanti-IgM antibody and C305 (anti-Ig's). Lymphocytes may also beactivated using a combination of phorbol ester (such as PMA) and calciumionophore (such as ionomycin). In the case of primary T cells,costimulation of CD3/CD28 is preferred.

By a “population of cells” or “library of cells” herein is meant atleast two cells, with at least about 10³ being preferred, at least about10⁶ being particularly preferred, and at least about 10⁸ to 10⁹ beingespecially preferred. The population or sample can contain a mixture ofdifferent cell types from either primary or secondary cultures althoughsamples containing only a single cell type are preferred, for example,the sample can be from a cell line, particularly tumor cell lines, asoutlined below. The cells may be in any cell phase, either synchronouslyor not, including M, G1, S, and G2. In a preferred embodiment, cellsthat are replicating or proliferating are used; this may allow the useof retroviral vectors for the introduction of candidate bioactiveagents. Alternatively, non-replicating cells may be used, and othervectors (such as adenovirus and lentivirus vectors) can be used. Inaddition, although not required, the cells are compatible with dyes andantibodies.

Preferred cell types for use in the invention include, but are notlimited to, mammalian cells, including animal (rodents, including mice,rats, hamsters and gerbils), primates, and human cells, particularlyincluding tumor cells of all types, including breast, skin, lung,cervix, colonrectal, leukemia, brain, etc. More preferable cell typesinclude Jurkat cells and the Ig(+) and IgM secreting B cell lines CL-01,LA350, BJAB, and CA46.

Preferred cell surface markers in the present invention exhibit lowbackground expression in the absence of lymphocyte activation.Especially preferred cell surface markers include CD40L, CD23, CD69,CD80, CD86. CD 69 and CD40L are especially preferred.

Agents that recognize such surface molecules (e.g. antibodies) can beused as an affinity ligand, and attached to a solid support such as abead, a surface,etc., and used to pull out cells that are undergoingT-cell and B-cell activation. Similarly, these agents can be coupled toa fluorescent dye such as PerCP, and then used as the basis of afluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) separation.

FACS analysis can be used in conjunction with antibodies recognizinglymphocyte surface markers that are correlated with lymphocyteactivation. FACS analysis is used to determine expression of thesemarkers in unstimulated and stimulated lymphocytes which mayadditionally or alternatively be exposed to cytokines.

Immunoglobulin heavy chan gene promoter activity and NFAT gene promoteractivity can be measured using lymphocyte clones comprising animmunoglobulin heavy chain or NFAT promoter operably fused to a reportergene. For example, a surface Ig(+), IgM secreting B cell line such asthe CL-01, CA46, or LA350 cell line is transfected with a constructcomprising GFP/2a/TK fusion under the control of an immunoglobulin heavychain promoter, Eμ and 3′α enhancer elements. Stable transfectants(referred to herein as immunoglobulin heavy chain reporter cell lines)are selected and maintained in gancyclovir. Preferred immunoglobulinheavy chain reporter cell lines for use in the present invention exhibitlow background GFP expression and strong basal activity and/or inducibleactivity in the presence of positive control. Such cell lines can begenerated with the use of retroviral constructs.

Immunoglobulin heavy chain reporter cell lines are transfected withUSP-25 nucleic acids which are expressed in the cell lines. A FACSmachine may be used to determine reporter gene (GFP) expression inUSP-25-transfected immunoglobulin heavy chain cell lines, comparingreporter gene expression in cells exposed to anti-Ig and not exposed toanti-Ig. In one embodiment, USP-25 protein affects basal reporter geneexpression. In a preferred embodiment, reporter gene expression isdetermined in the presence and absence of candidate bioactive agents inimmunoglobulin heavy chain cell lines stimulated and not stimulated withanti-Ig. In another preferred embodiment, reporter gene expression isdetermined in the presence and absence of candidate bioactive agents asthey are tested for their ability to modulate the effect of USP-25protein on basal reporter gene expression, i.e. absent BCR or TCRstimulation.

SYK protein determination may be done using standard proteinpreparation, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting techniques. Forexample, Peters et al. disclose SYK immunoprecipitation andimmunoblotting (JBC, 271:4755–4762, 1996, incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference).

The determination of ubiquitin-conjugated SYK protein may be done usingstandard protein preparation, immunoprecipitation, and Western blottingtechniques in conjunction with standard ubiquitin determining techniqueswhich include Western blotting. Such techniques are described herein. Inaddition, for example, a method for ubiquitinated protein determinationis disclosed by Okada et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry274:23787–23793, 1999, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

Alternatively, an in vitro assay using labeled ubiquitin and determiningthe amount of label associated with SYK protein may be done to determinethe level of SYK protein ubiquitination in a screen for bioactive agentscapable of altering the level of SYK protein ubiquitination.Particularly preferred are high thoughput assays screening agents fortheir ability to alter the level of SYK ubiquitination. In oneembodiment, labeled ubiquitin or polyubiquitin is combined with a SYKprotein as well as a ubiquitin activating enzyme, a ubiquitinconjugating enzyme, and optionally a ubiquitin ligase, under conditionswhich provide for the ubiquitination of SYK protein, and thereforerequiring that either the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme or the ubiquitinligase be capable of conjugating ubiquitin to SYK. Aubiquitin-conjugated ubiquitin conjugating enzyme or aubiquitin-conjugated ubiquitin ligase wherein ubiquitin is labeled mayoptionally replace ubiquitin, polyubiquitin, and ubiquitin activatingenzyme in the combination. Also combined is a USP-25 protein and acandidate agent. The proteins combined herein may be recombinantlyproduced and collected proteins, purified proteins, or may simply bepresent in a cell lysate that is used in the assay. The amount of labelassociated with SYK protein is determined, for example in a highthroughput screen using a scintillation counter to determine the amountof radioactively labeled ubiquitin associated with SYK protein in asample. Alternatively, the amount of free labeled ubiquitin may bedetermined. The level of ubiquitin association with SYK in the presenceand absence of candidate agent is determined to identify an agent asbeing able to increase or decrease the level of SYK proteinubiquitination.

Alternatively, SYK protein may be labeled and the amount of SYK proteinassociated with ubiquitin may be determined in such an assay.

In vitro assays for determining the inhibition of protein ubiquitinationhave been described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,761 issued toRolfe et al. sets forth in vitro methods for identifying inhibitors thatprevent ubiquitination of a target protein. In addition, U.S. Pat. No.5,976,849 issued to Hustad et al. provides similar methods.

In another embodiment, a ubiquitin-conjugated SYK protein whereinubiquitin is labeled, is combined with a USP-25 protein and a candidateagent. The amount of ubiquitin association with SYK is compared in thepresence and absence of candidate agent to identify an agent as beingand able to increase or decrease the level of SYK proteinubiquitination.

Alternatively, SYK protein may be labeled and the amount of SYK proteinassociated with ubiquitin may be determined in such an assay.

SYK protein tyrosine kinase assays may be done using methods known inthe art. For example Tartare-Deckert et al. disclose a method fordetermining SYK protein tyrosine kinase activity using the protein “VAV”as a SYK protein tyrosine kinase substrate (J. Biol. Chem., Mar. 21,2001).

USP-25 binding to SYK may be determined using standard proteinpreparation, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting techniques, asdemonstrated in the present examples and discussed herein.

Ubiquitin-specific protease activity directed to ubiquitin-conjugatedSYK protein may be assayed using standard protein preparation andimmunoprecipitation techniques in conjunction with standard ubiquitindetermining techniques which include Western blotting. Optionally, theseassays may involve the production and collection of recombinant SYKprotein as is known, using methods described herein in reference torecombinant USP-25 protein production. For example, a method for thedetermination of ubiquitin removal from a specific protein substrate isdisclosed by Lin et al., Molecular and Cellular Biology, 20:6568–6578,2000, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Preferably, thedetermination of ubiquitin-specific protease activity directed toubiquitin-conjugated SYK protein is assayed using an in vitro assay oncell lysates to determine the amount of labeled ubiquitin associatedwith SYK protein or the amount of labeled SYK protein associated withubiquitin, as discussed above.

Similar to the foregoing assays, assays for ubiquitin-like proteinconjugated SYK may be done. Similarly, screens for agents that modulateSYK protein conjugation to ubiquitin-like protein may be done.Similarly, ubiquitin-like protein specific peptidase activity may bedetermined. Preferably, such methods involve the use of labeledSMT3/SUMO or labeled NEDD8/RUBY, or SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBYimmunodetection.

Similarly, assays for ubiquitin conjugation calcineurin and UBC9 may bedone. Similarly, assays for ubiquitin-like protein conjugation tocalcineurin and UBC9 may be done. Similarly, assays for such conjugationto other USP-25 target proteins may be done.

Similarly, screens for agents that modulate such conjugation tocalcineurin, UBC9, or other USP-25 target protein may be done.Similarly, screens involving the determination of calcineurin or UBC9activity may be done. Methods for the determination of calcineurinactivity are known (for example see Stankunas, supra; Baumgrass et. al.,J. Biol. Chem. manuscript M103273200, 11, Oct. 2001), and methods fordetermining UBC9 activity are known (for example see Schwarz et. al.,Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci., 95:560–564, 1998).

Release of intracellular calcium stores may be assayed using membranepermeant vital calcium sensing fluorescent dyes, as are well known inthe art.

A preferred embodiment utilizes a cell proliferation assay. For example,B cells proliferate when activated. By “proliferation assay” herein ismeant an assay that allows the determination that a cell population iseither proliferating, i.e. replicating, or not replicating.

In a preferred embodiment, the proliferation assay is a dye inclusionassay. A dye inclusion assay relies on dilution effects to distinguishbetween cell phases. Briefly, a dye (generally a fluorescent dye asoutlined below) is introduced to cells and taken up by the cells. Oncetaken up, the dye is trapped in the cell, and does not diffuse out. Asthe cell population divides, the dye is proportionally diluted. That is,after the introduction of the inclusion dye, the cells are allowed toincubate for some period of time; cells that lose fluorescence over timeare dividing, and the cells that remain fluorescent are arrested in anon-growth phase.

The rate of loss of fluorescence is indicative of the rate ofproliferation. An increase in proliferation rate above that ofunstimulated cells is indicative of B cell activation.

Generally, the introduction of the inclusion dye may be done in one oftwo ways. Either the dye cannot passively enter the cells (e.g. it ischarged), and the cells must be treated to take up the dye; for examplethrough the use of a electric pulse. Alternatively, the dye canpassively enter the cells, but once taken up, it is modified such thatit cannot diffuse out of the cells. For example, enzymatic modificationof the inclusion dye may render it charged, and thus unable to diffuseout of the cells. For example, the Molecular Probes CellTracker™ dyesare fluorescent chloromethyl derivatives that freely diffuse into cells,and then glutathione S-transferase-mediated reaction produces membraneimpermeant dyes.

Suitable inclusion dyes include, but are not limited to, the MolecularProbes line of CellTracker™ dyes, including, but not limited toCellTracker™ Blue, CellTracker™ Yellow-Green, CellTracker™ Green,CellTracker™ Orange, PKH26 (Sigma), and others known in the art; see theMolecular Probes Handbook; chapter 15 in particular.

In general, inclusion dyes are provided to the cells at a concentrationranging from about 100 ng/ml to about 5 μg/ml, with from about 500 ng/mlto about 1 μg/ml being preferred. A wash step may or may not be used. Ina preferred embodiment, a candidate bioactive agent is combined with thecells as described herein. The cells and the inclusion dye are incubatedfor some period of time, to allow cell division and thus dye dilution.

Without being bound by theory, it is recognized herein that USP-25proteins are involved in the regulation of signal transduction inlymphocytes. Particularly, USP-25 proteins are recognized herein asbeing critical regulators of B cell and T-cell activation. As discussedabove, the activation of specific signaling pathways in lymphocytesdetermines the quality, magnitude, and duration of immune responses. Intransplantation, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, andautoimmunity, it is these pathways that are responsible for theinduction, maintenance and exacerbation of undesirable lymphocyteresponses.

In a preferred embodiment, without being bound by theory, the presentinvention provides USP-25 proteins and nucleic acids, as well as agentsthat bind to them and/or modulate their activity, including andpreferably small molecule chemical compositions as discussed herein,which are useful in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatorydiseases and autoimmune diseases, as well as in the treatment of a hostreceiving a transplant.

In a preferred embodiment, without being bound by theory, the presentinvention provides USP-25 proteins and nucleic acids, as well as agentsthat bind to them and/or modulate their activity, including andpreferably small molecule chemical compositions as discussed herein,which are useful in the treatment of physiological states that lead tothe presentation of some or all symptoms characteristic of acuteinflammatory disease, chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease,or response to transplantation.

In a preferred embodiment, without being bound by theory, the presentinvention provides USP-25 proteins and nucleic acids, as well as agentsthat bind to them and/or modulate their activity, including andpreferably small molecule chemical compositions as discussed herein,which are useful as prophylactics directed to acute inflammatorydisease, chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, and responseto transplantation.

In a preferred embodiment, without being bound by theory, the presentinvention provides USP-25 proteins and nucleic acids, as well as agentsthat bind to them and/or modulate their activity, including andpreferably small molecule chemical compositions as discussed herein,which are useful as prophylactics directed to physiological states thatlead to the presentation of some or all symptoms characteristic of acuteinflammatory disease, chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease,or response to transplantation.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for screening forbioactive agents capable of inhibiting inflammation are provided. In apreferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting binding of candidateagent to USP-25 protein, contacting the candidate agent to a lymphocyte,contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normally induces lymphocyteactivation, and determining NF-kB activation in the presence ofcandidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting USP-25binding interference in the presence of candidate agent, contacting thecandidate agent to a lymphocyte, contacting the lymphocyte with an agentthat normally induces lymphocyte activation, and determining NF-kBactivation in the presence of candidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting adecrease in USP-25 ubiquitin-specific protease activity in the presenceof candidate agent, contacting the candidate agent to a lymphocyte,contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normally induces lymphocyteactivation, and determining NF-kB activation in the presence ofcandidate agent.

In another preferred embodiment, the methods involve detecting adecrease in USP-25 ubiquitin-like protein-specific protease activity inthe presence of candidate agent, contacting the candidate agent to alymphocyte, contacting the lymphocyte with an agent that normallyinduces lymphocyte activation, and determining NF-kB activation in thepresence of candidate agent.

In a preferred embodiment, determining NF-kB activation involves sortinglymphocytes by FACS.

Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions useful for thetreatment of inflammatory disorders.

It is recognized in the art that Nf-kB activation is involved in theregulation of cell survival and programmed cell death. It is furtherrecognized in the art that the dysregulation of mechanisms of programmedcell death can lead to cancer, particularly in lymphocytes. For example,overexpression of BcI-2, which is involved in normal cell survivalthrough the inhibition of apoptosis, is thought to be responsible forthe survival of excessive numbers of lymphocytes in a form of lymphoma.

Without being bound by theory, the present invention provides USP-25proteins and nucleic acids, as well as agents binding to them ormodulating their activity, including and preferably small moleculechemical compositions as discussed herein, which are useful in thetreatment of disorders involving T cell and B cell survival andprogrammed cell death including cancer.

The proteins and nucleic acids provided herein can also be used forscreening purposes wherein the protein-protein interactions of theUSP-25 proteins can be identified. Genetic systems have been describedto detect protein-protein interactions. The first work was done in yeastsystems, namely the “yeast two-hybrid” system. The basic system requiresa protein-protein interaction in order to turn on transcription of areporter gene. Subsequent work was done in mammalian cells. See Fieldset al., Nature 340:245 (1989); Vasavada et al., PNAS USA 88:10686(1991); Fearon et al., PNAS USA 89:7958 (1992); Dang et al., Mol. Cell.Biol. 11:954 (1991); Chien et al., PNAS USA 88:9578 (1991); and U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,283,173, 5,667,973, 5,468,614, 5,525,490, and 5,637,463. apreferred system is described in Ser. Nos. 09/050,863, filed Mar. 30,1998 and 09/359,081 filed Jul. 22, 1999, entitled “Mammalian ProteinInteraction Cloning System”. For use in conjunction with these systems,a particularly useful shuttle vector is described in Ser. No.09/133,944, filed Aug. 14, 1998, entitled “Shuttle Vectors”.

In general, two nucleic acids are transformed into a cell, where one isa “bait” such as the gene encoding a USP-25 protein or a portionthereof, and the other encodes a test candidate. Only if the twoexpression products bind to one another will an indicator, such as afluorescent protein, be expressed. Expression of the indicator indicateswhen a test candidate binds to the USP-25 protein, and identifies thecandidate as being part of a T cell or B cell USP-25 signaling pathway.A test candidate so identified may then be used as bait to identifybinding proteins that are also identified as being part of a T cell or Bcell USP-25 signaling pathway. Additionally, USP-25 proteins may be usedto identify new baits, or agents that bind to USP-25 proteins.Additionally, the two-hybrid system can be used wherein a test candidateis added in addition to the bait and the USP-25 protein encoding nucleicacids to determine agents which interfere with the binding of bait, suchas SYK, to the USP-25 protein.

In one embodiment, a mammalian two-hybrid system is preferred. Mammaliansystems provide post-translational modifications of proteins which maycontribute significantly to their ability to interact. In addition, amammalian two-hybrid system can be used in a wide variety of mammaliancell types to mimic the regulation, induction, processing, etc. ofspecific proteins within a particular cell type. For example, proteinsinvolved in a disease state (i.e., cancer, apoptosis related disorders)could be tested in the relevant disease cells. Similarly, for testing ofrandom proteins, assaying them under the relevant cellular conditionswill give the highest positive results. Furthermore, the mammalian cellscan be tested under a variety of experimental conditions that may affectintracellular protein-protein interactions, such as in the presence ofhormones, drugs, growth factors and cytokines, radiation,chemotherapeutics, cellular and chemical stimuli, etc., that maycontribute to conditions which can effect protein-protein interactions,particularly those involved in cancer.

Assays involving binding such as the two-hybrid system may take intoaccount non-specific binding proteins (NSB).

Expression in various cell types, and assays for USP-25 activity aredescribed above. The activity assays can be performed to confirm theactivity of USP-25 proteins which have already been identified by theirsequence identity/similarity to USP-25, as well as to further confirmthe activity of lead compounds identified as modulators of USP-25activity.

The components provided herein for the assays provided herein may alsobe combined to form kits. The kits can be based on the use of theprotein and/or the nucleic acid encoding the USP-25 proteins.

In one embodiment, other components are provided in the kit. Suchcomponents include one or more of packaging, instructions, antibodies,and labels. Additional assays such as those used in diagnostics arefurther described below.

In this way, bioactive agents are identified. Compounds withpharmacological activity are able to enhance or interfere with theactivity of the USP-25 protein. The compounds having the desiredpharmacological activity may be administered in a physiologicallyacceptable carrier to a host, as further described below.

The present discovery relating to the role of USP-25 proteins inleukocytes thus provides methods for inducing or preventing leukocyteactivation, preferably lymphocyte activation. In a preferred embodiment,the USP-25 proteins, and particularly USP-25 protein fragments, areuseful in the study or treatment of conditions which involve dysfunctionor dysregulation of USP-25 protein activity, i.e. to diagnose, treat orprevent USP-25 associated disorders. Thus, “USP-25 associated disorders”or “disease states” or “physiological states associated with USP-25dysfunction or dysregulation” include conditions involving insufficient,excessive, and inappropriate lymphocyte activation.

Thus, in one embodiment, methods for regulating lymphocyte activation incells or organisms are provided. In one embodiment, the methods compriseadministering to a cell or individual in need thereof, a USP-25 proteinin a therapeutic amount. Alternatively, an anti-USP-25 antibody thatreduces or eliminates the biological activity of the endogenous USP-25protein is administered. Alternatively and preferably a USP-25 dominantnegative protein variant is administered. In another preferredembodiment, a bioactive agent as identified by the methods providedherein is administered. In a further preferred embodiment, such an agentis a small molecule chemical composition which inhibits USP-25 activity.Alternatively, the methods comprise administering to a cell orindividual a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an USP-25 protein. In oneembodiment, nucleic acid encoding a USP-25 dominant negative variantprotein is administered. In another embodiment, a USP-25 antisensenucleic acid is administered.

In one embodiment, the activity of USP-25 is increased. As will beappreciated by those in the art, this may be accomplished in any numberof ways. In a preferred embodiment, the activity of USP-25 is increasedby increasing the amount of USP-25 in the cell, for example byoverexpressing the endogenous USP-25 or by administering a gene encodinga USP-25 protein, using known gene-therapy techniques, for example. In apreferred embodiment, the gene therapy techniques include theincorporation of the exogenous gene using enhanced homologousrecombination (EHR), for example as described in PCT/US93/03868, herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, the activity of USP-25 is decreased. As will beappreciated by those in the art, this may be accomplished in any numberof ways. In a preferred embodiment, the activity of USP-25 is decreasedby decreasing the amount of USP-25 mRNA in the cell, for example byexpressing USP-25 antisense RNA. Double stranded nucleic acids for usein RNA interference (see Caplan, Trends in Biotechnology, 20: 49–51,2002) are also preferred for this purpose. Alternatively, endogenousUSP-25 activity is decreased by administering a dominant negative USP-25protein or a gene encoding a dominant negative USP-25 protein.Alternatively, endogenous USP-25 activity is decreased by administeringanti-USP-25 antibody or a gene encoding anti-USP-25 antibody or anepitope recognizing portion thereof. Known gene-therapy techniques maybe used to administer these agents. In a preferred embodiment, the genetherapy techniques involve incorporation of the exogenous gene into thehost genome using enhanced homologous recombination (EHR), for exampleas described in PCT/US93/03868, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

Without being bound by theory, it appears that USP-25 protein is animportant protein in leukocyte activation, particularly lymphocyteactivation. Accordingly, disorders based on mutant or variant USP-25genes may be determined. In one embodiment, the invention providesmethods for identifying cells containing variant USP-25 genes comprisingdetermining all or part of the sequence of at least one endogenousUSP-25 gene in a cell. As will be appreciated by those in the art, thismay be done using any number of sequencing techniques. In a preferredembodiment, the invention provides methods of identifying the USP-25genotype of an individual comprising determining all or part of thesequence of at least one USP-25 gene of the individual. This isgenerally done in at least one tissue of the individual, and may includethe evaluation of a number of tissues or different samples of the sametissue. The method may include comparing the sequence of the sequencedUSP-25 gene to a known USP-25 gene, i.e. a wild-type gene.

The sequence of all or part of the USP-25 gene can then be compared tothe sequence of a known USP-25 gene to determine if any differencesexist. This can be done using any number of known sequence identityprograms, such as Bestfit, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the presenceof a difference in the sequence between the USP-25 gene of the patientand the known USP-25 gene is indicative of a disease state or apropensity for a disease state.

In one embodiment, the invention provides methods for diagnosing aUSP-25 related condition in an individual. The methods comprisemeasuring the activity of USP-25 in a tissue from the individual orpatient, which may include a measurement of the amount or specificactivity of a USP-25 protein. This activity is compared to the activityof USP-25 from either an unaffected second individual or from anunaffected tissue from the first individual. When these activities aredifferent, the first individual may be at risk for a USP-25 associateddisorder. In this way, for example, monitoring of various diseaseconditions may be done, by monitoring the absolute USP-25 activity in asample or the specific activity of a USP-25 protein from a sample.Similarly, activity levels may correlate with prognosis.

In one aspect, the expression levels of USP-25 protein genes aredetermined in different patient samples or cells for which eitherdiagnosis or prognosis information is desired. Gene expressionmonitoring is done on genes encoding USP-25 proteins. In one aspect, theexpression levels of USP-25 protein genes are determined for differentcellular states, such as normal cells and cells undergoing apoptosis ortransformation. By comparing USP-25 protein gene expression levels incells in different states, information including both up- anddown-regulation of USP-25 protein genes is obtained, which can be usedin a number of ways. For example, the evaluation of a particulartreatment regime may be evaluated: does a chemotherapeutic drug act toimprove the long-term prognosis in a particular patient. Similarly,diagnosis may be done or confirmed by comparing patient samples.Furthermore, these gene expression levels allow screening of drugcandidates with an eye to mimicking or altering a particular expressionlevel. This may be done by making biochips comprising sets of importantUSP-25 protein genes, such as those of the present invention, which canthen be used in these screens. These methods can also be done on theprotein basis; that is, protein expression levels of the USP-25 proteinscan be evaluated for diagnostic purposes or to screen candidate agents.In addition, the USP-25 protein nucleic acid sequences can beadministered for gene therapy purposes, including the administration ofantisense nucleic acids, or the USP-25 proteins administered astherapeutic drugs.

USP-25 protein sequences bound to biochips include both nucleic acid andamino acid sequences as defined above. In a preferred embodiment,nucleic acid probes to USP-25 protein nucleic acids (both the nucleicacid sequences having the sequences outlined in the Figures and/or thecomplements thereof) are made. The nucleic acid probes attached to thebiochip are designed to be substantially complementary to the USP-25protein nucleic acids, i.e. the target sequence (either the targetsequence of the sample or to other probe sequences, for example insandwich assays), such that hybridization of the target sequence and theprobes of the present invention occurs. As outlined below, thiscomplementarity need not be perfect; there may be any number of basepair mismatches which will interfere with hybridization between thetarget sequence and the single stranded nucleic acids of the presentinvention. However, if the number of mutations is so great that nohybridization can occur under even the least stringent of hybridizationconditions, the sequence is not a complementary target sequence. Thus,by “substantially complementary” herein is meant that the probes aresufficiently complementary to the target sequences to hybridize undernormal reaction conditions, particularly high stringency conditions, asoutlined herein.

A “nucleic acid probe” is generally single stranded but can be partiallysingle and partially double stranded. The strandedness of the probe isdictated by the structure, composition, and properties of the targetsequence. In general, the nucleic acid probes range from about 8 toabout 100 bases long, with from about 10 to about 80 bases beingpreferred, and from about 30 to about 50 bases being particularlypreferred. In some embodiments, much longer nucleic acids can be used,up to hundreds of bases (e.g., whole genes).

As will be appreciated by those in the art, nucleic acids can beattached or immobilized to a solid support in a wide variety of ways. By“immobilized” and grammatical equivalents herein is meant theassociation or binding between the nucleic acid probe and the solidsupport is sufficient to be stable under the conditions of binding,washing, analysis, and removal as outlined below. The binding can becovalent or non-covalent. By “non-covalent binding” and grammaticalequivalents herein is meant one or more of either electrostatic,hydrophilic, and hydrophobic interactions. Included in non-covalentbinding is the covalent attachment of a molecule, such as, streptavidinto the support and the non-covalent binding of the biotinylated probe tothe streptavidin. By “covalent binding” and grammatical equivalentsherein is meant that the two moieties, the solid support and the probe,are attached by at least one bond, including sigma bonds, pi bonds andcoordination bonds. Covalent bonds can be formed directly between theprobe and the solid support or can be formed by a cross linker or byinclusion of a specific reactive group on either the solid support orthe probe or both molecules. Immobilization may also involve acombination of covalent and non-covalent interactions.

In general, the probes are attached to the biochip in a wide variety ofways, as will be appreciated by those in the art. As described herein,the nucleic acids can either be synthesized first, with subsequentattachment to the biochip, or can be directly synthesized on thebiochip.

The biochip comprises a suitable solid substrate. By “substrate” or“solid support” or other grammatical equivalents herein is meant anymaterial that can be modified to contain discrete individual sitesappropriate for the attachment or association of the nucleic acid probesand is amenable to at least one detection method. As will be appreciatedby those in the art, the number of possible substrates are very large,and include, but are not limited to, glass and modified orfunctionalized glass, plastics (including acrylics, polystyrene andcopolymers of styrene and other materials, polypropylene, polyethylene,polybutylene, polyurethanes, TeflonJ, etc.), polysaccharides, nylon ornitrocellulose, resins, silica or silica-based materials includingsilicon and modified silicon, carbon, metals, inorganic glasses,plastics, etc. In general, the substrates allow optical detection and donot appreciably show fluorescence.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the biochip and the probe maybe derivatized with chemical functional groups for subsequent attachmentof the two. Thus, for example, the biochip is derivatized with achemical functional group including, but not limited to, amino groups,carboxy groups, oxo groups and thiol groups, with amino groups beingparticularly preferred. Using these functional groups, the probes can beattached using functional groups on the probes. For example, nucleicacids containing amino groups can be attached to surfaces comprisingamino groups, for example using linkers as are known in the art; forexample, homo-or hetero-bifunctional linkers as are well known (see 1994Pierce Chemical Company catalog, technical section on cross-linkers,pages 155–200, incorporated herein by reference). In addition, in somecases, additional linkers, such as alkyl groups (including substitutedand heteroalkyl groups) may be used.

In this embodiment, oligonucleotides, corresponding to the nucleic acidprobe, are synthesized as is known in the art, and then attached to thesurface of the solid support. As will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, either the 5′ or 3′ terminus may be attached to the solidsupport, or attachment may be via an internal nucleoside.

In an additional embodiment, the immobilization to the solid support maybe very strong, yet non-covalent. For example, biotinylatedoligonucleotides can be made, which bind to surfaces covalently coatedwith streptavidin, resulting in attachment.

Alternatively, the oligonucleotides may be synthesized on the surface,as is known in the art. For example, photoactivation techniquesutilizing photopolymerization compounds and techniques are used. In apreferred embodiment, the nucleic acids can be synthesized in situ,using well known photolithographic techniques, such as those describedin WO 95/25116; WO 95/35505; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,637 and 5,445,934; andreferences cited within, all of which are expressly incorporated byreference; these methods of attachment form the basis of the AffimetrixGeneChip™ technology.

“Differential expression,” or grammatical equivalents as used herein,refers to both qualitative as well as quantitative differences in thegenes' temporal and/or cellular expression patterns within and among thecells. Thus, a differentially expressed gene can qualitatively have itsexpression altered, including an activation or inactivation, in, forexample, normal versus apoptotic cell. That is, genes may be turned onor turned off in a particular state, relative to another state. As isapparent to the skilled artisan, any comparison of two or more statescan be made. Such a qualitatively regulated gene will exhibit anexpression pattern within a state or cell type which is detectable bystandard techniques in one such state or cell type, but is notdetectable in both. Alternatively, the determination is quantitative inthat expression is increased or decreased; that is, the expression ofthe gene is either upregulated, resulting in an increased amount oftranscript, or downregulated, resulting in a decreased amount oftranscript. The degree to which expression differs need only be largeenough to quantify via standard characterization techniques as outlinedbelow, such as by use of Affymetrix GeneChip™ expression arrays,Lockhart, Nature Biotechnology 14:1675–1680 (1996), hereby expresslyincorporated by reference. Other techniques include, but are not limitedto, quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, Northern analysis and RNaseprotection.

As will be appreciated by those in the art, this may be done byevaluation at either the gene transcript, or the protein level; that is,the amount of gene expression may be monitored using nucleic acid probesto the DNA or RNA equivalent of the gene transcript, and thequantification of gene expression levels, or, alternatively, the finalgene product itself (protein) can be monitored, for example through theuse of antibodies to the USP-25 protein and standard immunoassays(ELISAs, etc.) or other techniques, including mass spectroscopy assays,2D gel electrophoresis assays, etc.

In another method detection of the mRNA is performed in situ. In thismethod permeabilized cells or tissue samples are contacted with adetectably labeled nucleic acid probe for sufficient time to allow theprobe to hybridize with the target mRNA. Following washing to remove thenon-specifically bound probe, the label is detected. For example adigoxygenin labeled riboprobe (RNA probe) that is complementary to themRNA encoding an USP-25 protein is detected by binding the digoxygeninwith an anti-digoxygenin secondary antibody and developed with nitroblue tetrazolium and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl phosphate.

In another preferred method, expression of USP-25 protein is determinedusing in situ imaging techniques employing antibodies to USP-25proteins. In this method cells are contacted with from one to manyantibodies to the USP-25 protein(s). Following washing to removenon-specific antibody binding, the presence of the antibody orantibodies is detected. In one embodiment the antibody is detected byincubating with a secondary antibody that contains a detectable label.In another method the primary antibody to the USP-25 protein(s) containsa detectable label. In another preferred embodiment each one of multipleprimary antibodies contains a distinct and detectable label. This methodfinds particular use in simultaneous screening for a plurality of USP-25proteins. The label may be detected in a fluorometer which has theability to detect and distinguish emissions of different wavelengths. Inaddition, a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) can be used inthis method. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,numerous other histological imaging techniques are useful in theinvention and the antibodies can be used in ELISA, immunoblotting(Western blotting), immunoprecipitation, BIACORE technology, and thelike.

In one embodiment, the USP-25 proteins of the present invention may beused to generate polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to USP-25proteins, which are useful as described herein. Similarly, the USP-25proteins can be coupled, using standard technology, to affinitychromatography columns. These columns may then be used to purify USP-25antibodies. In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies are generated toepitopes unique to the USP-25 protein; that is, the antibodies showlittle or no cross-reactivity to other proteins. These antibodies finduse in a number of applications. For example, the USP-25 antibodies maybe coupled to standard affinity chromatography columns and used topurify USP-25 proteins,as further described below. The antibodies mayalso be used as blocking polypeptides, as outlined above, since theywill specifically bind to the USP-25 protein.

The anti-USP-25 protein antibodies may comprise polyclonal antibodies.Methods of preparing polyclonal antibodies are known to the skilledartisan. Polyclonal antibodies can be raised in a mammal, for example,by one or more injections of an immunizing agent and, if desired, anadjuvant. Typically, the immunizing agent and/or adjuvant will beinjected in the mammal by multiple subcutaneous or intraperitonealinjections. The immunizing agent may include the USP-25 protein or afusion protein thereof. It may be useful to conjugate the immunizingagent to a protein known to be immunogenic in the mammal beingimmunized. Examples of such immunogenic proteins include but are notlimited to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovinethyroglobulin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Examples of adjuvantswhich may be employed include Freund's complete adjuvant and MPL-TDMadjuvant (monophosphoryl Lipid a, synthetic trehalose dicorynomycolate).The immunization protocol may be selected by one skilled in the artwithout undue experimentation.

The anti-USP-25 protein antibodies may, alternatively, be monoclonalantibodies. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared using hybridomamethods, such as those described by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495(1975). In a hybridoma method, a mouse, hamster, or other appropriatehost animal, is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicitlymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies thatwill specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, thelymphocytes may be immunized in vitro.

The immunizing agent will typically include the USP-25 protein or afusion protein thereof. Generally, either peripheral blood lymphocytes(“PBLs”) are used if cells of human origin are desired, or spleen cellsor lymph node cells are used if non-human mammalian sources are desired.The lymphocytes are then fused with an immortalized cell line using asuitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridomacell [Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, AcademicPress, (1986) pp. 59–103]. Immortalized cell lines are usuallytransformed mammalian cells, particularly myeloma cells of rodent,bovine and human origin. Usually, rat or mouse myeloma cell lines areemployed. The hybridoma cells may be cultured in a suitable culturemedium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit thegrowth or survival of the unfused, immortalized cells. For example, ifthe parental cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomastypically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (“HATmedium”), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

Preferred immortalized cell lines are those that fuse efficiently,support stable high level expression of antibody by the selectedantibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HATmedium. More preferred immortalized cell lines are murine myeloma lines,which can be obtained, for instance, from the Salk Institute CellDistribution Center, San Diego, Calif. and the American Type CultureCollection, Rockville, Md. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyelomacell lines also have been described for the production of humanmonoclonal antibodies [Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur etal., Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, MarcelDekker, Inc., New York, (1987) pp. 51–63].

The culture medium in which the hybridoma cells are cultured can then beassayed for the presence of monoclonal antibodies directed againstUSP-25 protein. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonalantibodies produced by the hybridoma cells is determined byimmunoprecipitation or by an in vitro binding assay, such asradioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Such techniques and assays are known in the art. The binding affinity ofthe monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchardanalysis of Munson and Pollard, Anal. Biochem., 107:220 (1980).

After the desired hybridoma cells are identified, the clones may besubcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods[Goding, supra]. Suitable culture media for this purpose include, forexample, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and RPMI-1640 medium.Alternatively, the hybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites in amammal.

The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones may be isolated orpurified from the culture medium or ascites fluid by conventionalimmunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, proteina-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis,dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

The monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA methods,such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567. DNA encoding themonoclonal antibodies of the invention can be readily isolated andsequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotideprobes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding theheavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells of theinvention serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, theDNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfectedinto host cells such as simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulinprotein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in therecombinant host cells. The DNA also may be modified, for example, bysubstituting the coding sequence for human heavy and light chainconstant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences [U.S. Pat.No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al., supra] or by covalently joining to theimmunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for anon-immunoglobulin polypeptide. Such a non-immunoglobulin polypeptidecan be substituted for the constant domains of an antibody of theinvention, or can be substituted for the variable domains of oneantigen-combining site of an antibody of the invention to create achimeric bivalent antibody.

The antibodies may be monovalent antibodies. Methods for preparingmonovalent antibodies are well known in the art. For example, one methodinvolves recombinant expression of immunoglobulin light chain andmodified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncated generally at anypoint in the Fc region so as to prevent heavy chain crosslinking.Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues are substituted withanother amino acid residue or are deleted so as to prevent crosslinking.

In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies.Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly, Fabfragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in theart. chain and modified heavy chain. The heavy chain is truncatedgenerally at any point in the Fc region so as to prevent heavy chaincrosslinking. Alternatively, the relevant cysteine residues aresubstituted with another amino acid residue or are deleted so as toprevent crosslinking.

In vitro methods are also suitable for preparing monovalent antibodies.Digestion of antibodies to produce fragments thereof, particularly, Fabfragments, can be accomplished using routine techniques known in theart.

Alternatively, intrabodies may be prepared that are capable of bindingto USP-25 intracellularly. Wirtz et al., Prot. Sci. 8(11):2245–50(1999); Ohage et al. J. Mol. Biol. 291(5):1129–34 and Ohage et al. J.Biol. Chem. 291(5): 1119–28 (1999), the disclosures of which areexpressly incorporated by reference herein. Preferably such intrabodiesare lipid soluble and lack a constant region.

The anti-USP-25 protein antibodies of the invention may further comprisehumanized antibodies or human antibodies. Humanized forms of non-human(e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulinchains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂ or otherantigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimalsequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. Humanized antibodiesinclude human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residuesfrom a complementary determining region (CDR) of the recipient arereplaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody)such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinityand capacity. In some instances, Fv framework residues of the humanimmunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues.Humanized antibodies may also comprise residues which are found neitherin the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or frameworksequences. In general, the humanized antibody will comprisesubstantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains,in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to thoseof a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FRregions are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence. Thehumanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of animmunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a humanimmunoglobulin [Jones et al., Nature, 321:522–525 (1986); Riechmann etal., Nature, 332:323–329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol.,2:593–596 (1992)].

Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art.Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residuesintroduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-humanamino acid residues are often referred to as “import” residues, whichare typically taken from an “import” variable domain. Humanization canbe essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers[Jones et al., Nature, 321:522–525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature,332:323–327 (1988); Verhoeyen et al., Science, 239:1534–1536 (1988)], bysubstituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the correspondingsequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such “humanized” antibodiesare chimeric antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567), wherein substantiallyless than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by thecorresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanizedantibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues andpossibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogoussites in rodent antibodies.

Human antibodies can also be produced using various techniques known inthe art, including phage display libraries [Hoogenboom and Winter, J.Mol. Biol., 227:381 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581(1991)]. The techniques of Cole et al. and Boerner et al. are alsoavailable for the preparation of human monoclonal antibodies (Cole etal., Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, p. 77(1985) and Boerner et al., J. Immunol., 147(1):86–95 (1991)]. Similarly,human can be made by introducing of human immunoglobulin loci intotransgenic animals, e.g., mice in which the endogenous immunoglobulingenes have been partially or completely inactivated. Upon challenge,human antibody production is observed, which closely resembles that seenin humans in all respects, including gene rearrangement, assembly, andantibody repertoire. This approach is described, for example, in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,545,807; 5,545,806; 5,569,825; 5,625,126; 5,633,425;5,661,016, and in the following scientific publications: Marks et al.,Bio/Technology 10, 779–783 (1992); Lonberg et al., Nature 368 856–859(1994); Morrison, Nature 368, 812–13 (1994); Fishwild et al., NatureBiotechnology 14, 845–51 (1996); Neuberger, Nature Biotechnology 14, 826(1996); Lonberg and Huszar, Intern. Rev. Immunol. 13 65–93 (1995).

Bispecific antibodies are monoclonal, preferably human or humanized,antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two differentantigens. In the present case, one of the binding specificities is forthe USP-25 protein, the other one is for any other antigen, andpreferably for a cell-surface protein or receptor or receptor subunit.

Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art.Traditionally, the recombinant production of bispecific antibodies isbased on the co-expression of two immunoglobulin heavy-chain/light-chainpairs, where the two heavy chains have different specificities [Milsteinand Cuello, Nature, 305:537–539 (1983)]. Because of the randomassortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas(quadromas) produce a potential mixture of ten different antibodymolecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. Thepurification of the correct molecule is usually accomplished by affinitychromatography steps. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829,published 13, May 1993, and in Traunecker et al., EMBO J., 10:3655–3659(1991).

Antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities(antibody-antigen combining sites) can be fused to immunoglobulinconstant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with animmunoglobulin heavy-chain constant domain, comprising at least part ofthe hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the firstheavy-chain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary forlight-chain binding present in at least one of the fusions. DNAsencoding the immunoglobulin heavy-chain fusions and, if desired, theimmunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expressionvectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. Forfurther details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example,Suresh et al., Methods in Enzymology, 121:210 (1986).

Heteroconjugate antibodies are also within the scope of the presentinvention. Heteroconjugate antibodies are composed of two covalentlyjoined antibodies. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed totarget immune system cells to unwanted cells [U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980],and for treatment of HIV infection [WO 91/00360; WO 92/200373; EP03089]. It is contemplated that the antibodies may be prepared in vitrousing known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including thoseinvolving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may beconstructed using a disulfide exchange reaction or by forming athioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose includeiminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate and those disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980.

The anti-USP-25 protein antibodies of the invention have variousutilities. For example, anti-USP-25 protein antibodies may be used indiagnostic assays for an USP-25 protein, e.g., detecting its expressionin specific cells, tissues, or serum. Various diagnostic assaytechniques known in the art may be used, such as competitive bindingassays, direct or indirect sandwich assays and immunoprecipitationassays conducted in either heterogeneous or homogeneous phases [Zola,Monoclonal Antibodies: a Manual of Techniques, CRC Press, Inc. (1987)pp. 147–158]. The antibodies used in the diagnostic assays can belabeled with a detectable moiety. The detectable moiety should becapable of producing, either directly or indirectly, a detectablesignal. For example, the detectable moiety may be a radioisotope, suchas ³H, ¹⁴C, ³²P, ³⁵S, or ¹²⁵I, a fluorescent or chemiluminescentcompound, such as fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, or luciferin,or an enzyme, such as alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase orhorseradish peroxidase. Any method known in the art for conjugating theantibody to the detectable moiety may be employed, including thosemethods described by Hunter et al., Nature, 144:945 (1962); David etal., Biochemistry, 13:1014 (1974); Pain et al., J. Immunol. Meth.,40:219 (1981); and Nygren, J. Histochem. and Cytochem., 30:407 (1982).

Anti-USP-25 protein antibodies also are useful for the affinitypurification of USP-25 protein from recombinant cell culture or naturalsources. In this process, the antibodies against USP-25 protein areimmobilized on a suitable support, such a Sephadex resin or filterpaper, using methods well known in the art. The immobilized antibodythen is contacted with a sample containing the USP-25 protein to bepurified, and thereafter the support is washed with a suitable solventthat will remove substantially all the material in the sample except theUSP-25 protein, which is bound to the immobilized antibody. Finally, thesupport is washed with another suitable solvent that will release theUSP-25 protein from the antibody.

The anti-USP-25 protein antibodies may also be used in treatment. In oneembodiment, the genes encoding the antibodies are provided, such thatthe antibodies bind to and modulate the USP-25 protein within the cell.

In one embodiment, a therapeutically effective dose of an USP-25protein, agonist or antagonist is administered to a patient. By“therapeutically effective dose” herein is meant a dose that producesthe effects for which it is administered. The exact dose will depend onthe purpose of the treatment, and will be ascertainable by one skilledin the art using known techniques. As is known in the art, adjustmentsfor USP-25 protein degradation, systemic versus localized delivery, aswell as the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time ofadministration, drug interaction and the severity of the condition maybe necessary, and will be ascertainable with routine experimentation bythose skilled in the art.

A “patient” for the purposes of the present invention includes bothhumans and other animals, particularly mammals, and organisms. Thus themethods are applicable to both human therapy and veterinaryapplications. In the preferred embodiment the patient is a mammal, andin the most preferred embodiment the patient is human.

The administration of the USP-25 protein, agonist or antagonist of thepresent invention can be done in a variety of ways, including, but notlimited to, orally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intranasally,transdermally, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intrapulmonary,vaginally, rectally, or intraocularly. In some instances, for example,in the treatment of wounds and inflammation, the composition may bedirectly applied as a solution or spray. Depending upon the manner ofintroduction, the compounds may be formulated in a variety of ways. Theconcentration of therapeutically active compound in the formulation mayvary from about 0.1–100% wt.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise anUSP-25 protein, agonist or antagonist (including antibodies andbioactive agents as described herein, most preferably small moleculechemical compositions as described herein) in a form suitable foradministration to a patient. In the preferred embodiment, thepharmaceutical compositions are in a water soluble form, such as beingpresent as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, which is meant to includeboth acid and base addition salts. “Pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salt” refers to those salts that retain the biologicaleffectiveness of the free bases and that are not biologically orotherwise undesirable, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloricacid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid andthe like, and organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid,glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid,succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid,cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid,p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid and the like. “Pharmaceuticallyacceptable base addition salts” include those derived from inorganicbases such as sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium,iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum salts and the like. Particularlypreferred are the ammonium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesiumsalts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxicbases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines,substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines,cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine,trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, andethanolamine.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also include one or more of thefollowing: carrier proteins such as serum albumin; buffers; fillers suchas microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, corn and other starches; bindingagents; sweeteners and other flavoring agents; coloring agents; andpolyethylene glycol. Additives are well known in the art, and are usedin a variety of formulations.

Combinations of the compositions may be administered. Moreover, thecompositions may be administered in combination with other therapeutics,including growth factors or chemotherapeutics and/or radiation.Targeting agents (i.e. ligands for receptors on cancer cells) may alsobe combined with the compositions provided herein.

In one embodiment provided herein, the antibodies are used forimmunotherapy, thus, methods of immunotherapy are provided. By“immunotherapy” is meant treatment of USP-25 protein related disorderswith an antibody raised against a USP-25 protein. As used herein,immunotherapy can be passive or active. Passive immunotherapy, asdefined herein, is the passive transfer of antibody to a recipient(patient). Active immunization is the induction of antibody and/orT-cell responses in a recipient (patient). Induction of an immuneresponse can be the consequence of providing the recipient with anUSP-25 protein antigen to which antibodies are raised. As appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art, the USP-25 protein antigen may beprovided by injecting an USP-25 protein against which antibodies aredesired to be raised into a recipient, or contacting the recipient withan USP-25 protein nucleic acid, capable of expressing the USP-25 proteinantigen, under conditions for expression of the USP-25 protein antigen.

In a preferred embodiment, a therapeutic compound is conjugated to anantibody, preferably an USP-25 protein antibody. The therapeuticcompound may be a cytotoxic agent. In this method, targeting thecytotoxic agent to apoptotic cells or tumor tissue or cells, results ina reduction in the number of afflicted cells, thereby reducing symptomsassociated with apoptosis, cancer USP-25 protein related disorders.Cytotoxic agents are numerous and varied and include, but are notlimited to, cytotoxic drugs or toxins or active fragments of suchtoxins. Suitable toxins and their corresponding fragments includediptheria A chain, exotoxin A chain, ricin A chain, abrin A chain,curcin, crotin, phenomycin, enomycin and the like. Cytotoxic agents alsoinclude radiochemicals made by conjugating radioisotopes to antibodiesraised against USP-25 proteins, or binding of a radionuclide to achelating agent that has been covalently attached to the antibody.

In a preferred embodiment, USP-25 protein genes are administered as DNAvaccines, either single nucleic acids or combinations of USP-25 proteingenes. Naked DNA vaccines are generally known in the art; see Brower,Nature Biotechnology 16:1304–1305 (1998). Methods for the use of nucleicacids as DNA vaccines are well known to one of ordinary skill in theart, and include placing an USP-25 protein gene or portion of an USP-25protein nucleic acid under the control of a promoter for expression in apatient. The USP-25 protein gene used for DNA vaccines can encodefull-length USP-25 proteins, but more preferably encodes portions of theUSP-25 proteins including peptides derived from the USP-25 protein. In apreferred embodiment a patient is immunized with a DNA vaccinecomprising a plurality of nucleotide sequences derived from a USP-25protein gene. Similarly, it is possible to immunize a patient with aplurality of USP-25 protein genes or portions thereof, as definedherein. Without being bound by theory, following expression of thepolypeptide encoded by the DNA vaccine, cytotoxic T-cells, helperT-cells and antibodies are induced which recognize and destroy oreliminate cells expressing USP-25 proteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the DNA vaccines include a gene encoding anadjuvant molecule with the DNA vaccine. Such adjuvant molecules includecytokines that increase the immunogenic response to the USP-25 proteinencoded by the DNA vaccine. Additional or alternative adjuvants areknown to those of ordinary skill in the art and find use in theinvention.

The examples described herein serve to more fully describe the manner ofusing the above-described invention, as well as to set forth the bestmodes contemplated for carrying out various aspects of the invention. Itis understood that these examples in no way serve to limit the truescope of this invention, but rather are presented for illustrativepurposes. All references cited herein are expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety. Moreover, all sequences displayed, cited byreference or accession number in the references are incorporated byreference herein.

EXAMPLES Example 1

USP-25 amino acid sequence reveals homology to ubiquitin specificproteases or isopeptidases which remove ubiquitin from their substrates.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, USP-25 possesses an ubiquitin-associateddomain, an ubiquitin protease domain with a conserved catalytic cysteineresidue and two conserved histidine residues, a tyrosine phosphorylationdomain, a ubiquitin hydrolase motif, and a response regulatory proteindomain.

FIG. 5 also depicts the sequence of a catalytically dead USP-25 variantprotein in which the catalytic cysteine residue is replaced by a serineresidue.

Example 2

Northern blot analysis was performed with RNA isolated from a variety ofhuman tissues, including spleen and thymus, and a variety of human celllines (data not shown). USP-25 mRNA appears to be ubiquitouslyexpressed. However, the level of USP-25 expression is lower in spleentissue than many other tissues, suggesting cells of the tissue (i.e.lymphocytes) may be more sensitive to inhibitory pharmacological agents,or lower doses of inhibitory pharmacological agents may be required toaffect the cells of this tissue.

Example 3

Nucleic acids encoding catalytically dead mutant (“mutant” usedinterchangeably with “variant” herein) USP-25 and wildtype USP-25proteins were introduced into B cell lines stably transfected with anNFAT promoter operatively fused to a luciferase gene. Followingstimulation of the NFAT promoter reporter B cell lines with anti-IgMantibody (i.e. induction of B cell activation), the activity of thereporter gene (luciferase) was determined to indicate NFAT promoteractivity. The results of the assays are depicted in FIG. 6.

In the absence of exogenous mutant or wildtype USP-25 protein, anti-IgMantibody induced an increase in NFAT promoter activity in B cells.

In the presence of wildtype USP-25 protein, anti-IgM antibody induced anincrease in NFAT promoter activity in B cells.

In the presence of catalytically dead mutant USP-25 protein, theresponse of B cells to anti-IgM antibody was decreased as compared tothe responses in the presence of wildtype USP-25 protein and in theabsence of wildtype and mutant USP-25 protein.

Example 4

Jurkat T cells were transiently cotransfected with expression vectorsencoding flag-tagged catalytically dead mutant USP-25 or wildtype USP-25protein, and SYK protein. Cell lysates were prepared from transfectedcells, and flag-tagged USP-25 or flag-tagged mutant USP-25 protein wasimmunoprecipitated using anti-flag antibody. Western blots were run withthe immunoprecipitates using anti-SYK antibody to determine if SYKprotein precipitated with flag-tagged USP-25 and flag-tagged mutantUSP-25 proteins.

SYK protein was detected in Western blots run on anti-flagimmunoprecipitates from cells transfected with wildtype USP-25 andmutant USP-25 vectors (data not shown). Thus, SYK associates with USP-25in lymphocytes, and this association does not require USP-25 catalyticactivity.

1. A method of screening for an immunosuppressant, comprising: a)combining a USP-25 protein, a USP-25 target protein which is conjugatedto ubiquitin, and a candidate bioactive agent, wherein said USP-25protein has ubiquitin-specific peptidase activity and wherein saidUSP-25 protein comprises an amino acid sequence having at least about95% identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2; and b)determining the level of ubiquitin-conjugated target protein in thepresence of said candidate bioactive agent; wherein an increase in thelevel of ubiquitin-conjugated target protein in the presence of saidcandidate bioactive agent indicates that said candidate bioactive agentis an immunosupressant.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidUSP-25 protein comprises a ubiquitin-specific protease domain andconsists essentially of an amino acid sequence having at least about 95%identity to amino acids 1–658 in SEQ ID NO:2.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said USP-25 target protein is selected from the groupconsisting of UBC9, IkB, SYK and calcineurin.
 4. A method of screeningfor an immunosuppressant, comprising: a) combining: a USP-25 protein,wherein said USP-25 protein has ubiquitin-like protein specificpeptidase activity and wherein said USP-25 protein comprises an aminoacid sequence having at least about 95% identity to the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, a candidate bioactive agent, and aUSP-25 target protein selected from the group consisting of UBC9, IkB,SYK and calcineurin, wherein said USP-25 protein will bind to saidUSP-25 target protein, and wherein the USP-25 target protein isconjugated to a ubiquitin-like protein, wherein said ubiquitin-likeprotein is SMT3/SUMO or NEDD8/RUBY; and b) determining the level ofubiquitin-like protein-conjugated target protein in the presence andabsence of said candidate bioactive agent; wherein a difference in thelevel of ubiquitin-like protein -conjugated target protein in thepresence and absence of said candidate bioactive agent indicates thatsaid candidate bioactive agent modulates USP-25 protein ubiquitin-likeprotein specific peptidase activity.
 5. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: a) detecting an increase in the level ofubiquitin-conjugated or ubiquitin-like protein-conjugated target proteinin the presence of said candidate bioactive agent; b) contacting saidcandidate bioactive agent to a lymphocyte; c) inducing activation ofsaid lymphocyte; and d) determining the activation of said lymphocyte inthe presence of said candidate bioactive agent; wherein a decrease inthe activation of said lymphocyte in the presence of said candidatebioactive agent indicates that said bioactive agent is an inimmunosuppressant.
 6. A method of screening for an immunosuppressant,comprising: a) combining a candidate bioactive agent, and a USP-25protein; b) detecting binding of said USP-25 protein to said candidatebioactive agent; c) contacting said candidate bioactive agent to alymphocyte; d) inducing activation of said lymphocyte; and e)determining the activation of said lymphocyte in the presence of saidcandidate bioactive agent; wherein said USP-25 protein comprises anamino acid sequence having at least about 95% identity to the amino acidsequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein a decrease in theactivation of said lymphocyte in the presence of said candidatebioactive agent indicates that said candidate bioactive agent is animmunosuppressant.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein saidUSP-25 protein consists essentially of an amino acid sequence having atleast about 95% identity to an amino acid sequence selected from thegroup consisting of 58–1055, 659–1055 and 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.
 8. Amethod of screening for an immunosuppressant, comprising: a) combining acandidate bioactive agent, a USP-25 protein, and an USP-25-bindingpartner, wherein said USP-25 binding partner is selected from the groupconsisting of UBC9, IkB, SYK and calcineurin; b) detecting a decrease inthe binding of said USP-25 protein to said USP-25-binding partner in thepresence of said candidate bioactive agent; c) contacting said candidatebioactive agent to a lymphocyte; d) inducing activation of saidlymphocyte; and e) determining the activation of said lymphocyte in thepresence of said candidate bioactive agent; wherein said USP-25 proteincomprises an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% identity tothe amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, wherein said USP-25protein will bind said USP-25-binding partner in the absence of saidcandidate bioactive agent, and wherein a decrease in the activation ofsaid lymphocyte in the presence of said candidate bioactive agentindicates that said candidate bioactive agent is an immunosuppressant.9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said USP-25 protein consistsessentially of an amino acid sequence having at least about 95% identityto an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of 58–1055,659–1055 and 861–1055 in SEQ ID NO:2.
 10. The method according to any ofclaims 1, 5, 6, and 8, herein said candidate bioactive agent is a smallmolecule chemical compound from about 200 to about 500 daltons in size.11. The method according to any of claims 1, 5, 6, and 8, wherein alibrary of candidate agents is combined with USP-25 protein.
 12. Themethod according to any of claims 5, 6, and 8, wherein said determiningthe activation of said lymphocyte comprises determining the activity ofan immunoglobulin heavy chain gene promoter.
 13. The method according toany of claims 5, 6, and 8, wherein said determining the activation ofsaid lymphocyte comprises determining the expression of IL-2.
 14. Themethod according to any of claims 5, 6, and 8, wherein said determiningthe activation of said lymphocyte comprises determining the expressionof CD40L.
 15. The method according to any of claims 5, 6, and 8, whereinsaid determining the activation of said lymphocyte comprises determiningthe expression of CD69.
 16. The method according to any of claims 5, 6,and 8, wherein said determining the activation of said lymphocyteinvolves sorting said lymphocyte by FAGS.
 17. A method of screening fora bioactive agent capable of modulating lymphocyte activation,comprising: i) contacting a candidate bioactive agent to a lymphocytecomprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a USP-25 protein; ii)inducing activation of said lymphocyte; and iii) determining theactivation of said lymphocyte in the presence and absence of saidcandidate bioactive agent; wherein said USP-25 protein comprises anamino acid sequence having at least about 95% identity to the amino acidsequence in SEQ ID NO:2, and wherein a difference in the activation ofsaid lymphocyte in the presence and absence of said candidate bioactiveagent indicates that said candidate bioactive agent is capable ofmodulating lymphocyte activation.
 18. The method according to claim 4,further comprising: a) detecting an increase in the level ofubiquitin-like protein-conjugated target protein in the presence of saidcandidate bioactive agent; b) contacting said candidate bioactive agentto a lymphocyte; c) inducing activation of said lymphocyte; and d)determining the activation of said lymphocyte in the presence of saidcandidate bioactive agent; wherein a decrease in the activation of saidlymphocyte in the presence of said candidate bioactive agent indicatesthat said bioactive agent is an immunosuppressant.